Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene, who has been a part of the losing side in three World Cup finals, is desperate to win at least one ICC silverware before retirement. The iconic star will spearhead the team in the ICC World T20 starting September 18 at home
“Yes, we need to push a bit more. We will take each round as work in progress, try and execute a good game plan to accomplish a win,” Jayawardene told reporters here yesterday.
Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene during a media interaction in Colombo yesterday. Pic/AFP
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Jayawardene’s brilliant century went in vain as his side lost to India in the 2011 World Cup final at the Wankhede Stadium. He was also the skipper of the Sri Lanka team that went down to Australia in the final of 2007 World Cup final in the West Indies and was also a part of the World T20 final defeat at the hands of Pakistan in England in 2009.
Jayawardene is looking forward to contributions from the youngsters in the mega-event. Commenting on the inclusion of Dilshan Munaweera, an uncapped opening batsman, the Sri Lankan captain said: “I am very excited about Munaweera.
He had a great 12 months and did particularly well at the SLPL (Sri Lanka Premier League). He brings in a bit of fresh air to the team.”
Maturity
Jayawardene, who has handpicked the 18-year-old mystery spinner Akila Dananjaya, said the youngster had shown a lot of maturity for someone who had only played school cricket. “We need to make the right calls in selecting him against the right opponents, not putting him under too much pressure,” he insisted.
“(The allrounders) give us a lot of options in our team combination, so we can pick more batsmen or more bowlers to suit conditions and opposition, and still have a balanced team,” Jayawardene said. SL will play the opening game against Zimbabwe in Hambantota.
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