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by Richard Dwight

Most if not all of us are familiar with the saying "The Thorn in the Flesh" - and Hashan Tillakaratne, to the hilt, proved he was just that to the Proteas, while on his way to his unconquered stubborn century made at the Centurian Park.

Commendable it was, though much to the discomfort of the five pronged pace attack of the South Africans, who try as they may, did everything they possibly could to dislodge him but with no avail, for they simply couldn't penetrate Hashan's defence.

As the frustration grew, the pacemen all 5 of them without exception, were no longer concentrating on the stumps but resorting to short pitched intimidatory bowling.

Hashan's contribution in value, soars through the strategy he displayed to counter the onslaught, which is worthy of emulation by those confronted with similar situations.

He had nothing to do with the balls that were meaningless to be wayward, to those that reared up he either ducked or moved away and, to those he had no alternative, he with a measure of defiance took them on his body and chest- it was indeed commitment of a high order.

The ploy of the Proteas pacemen against the like of Hashan, was so monotonous to become a veritable bore.

The pity is, that he lacked adequate support from the other end to relieve the pressure that was on him.

Had the far more enterprising batsmen with a comparatively wide array of strokes - after having got past the worst and converted their thirties and forties into worthwhile scores, Hashan may have continued batting in his own characteristic way for yet another day.

It's rather unkind for some to describe him as selfish and one who bats for himself, this innings of his has proved otherwise.

It must be borne in mind, that Hashan hasn't the charisma and aura of some of his flamboyant colleagues, but has time and again shown that he could be a valuable player in the arena of test cricket, as opposed to his playing in the shorter version (ODIs), which does appear to be questionable.

There was a proprietorial swagger and a spirit of vindication as he walked away carrying his bat after an unbeaten 104. Especially, causing embarrassment to those responsible for Hashan's languishing in the backyard of Sri Lanka cricket, for well-nigh two years.

Test cricket is for men of sterner stuff and Hashan could be counted as one of them.

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