It was a great feeling - Chamara

Elmo RODRIGOPULLE in New Zeland

CRICKET: Chamara Silva who has the mannerisms of the famous Aravinda de Silva when he is at crease, was delighted that he made his first Test century against New Zealand, but was a shy man and did not want to gloat about the three figure score he made.

A player who should have sported the Sri Lanka cap much earlier, but finally made it only now, owing to his determination and dedication to make it to the big league said that when he got that dreaded pair skipper Mahela Jayawardena came up to him and said that he was not going to be dropped but would be given another chance. He said that he was confident that with his ability he will come good.

The team-mates too, were really supportive and they all spoke to me and gave me a lot of encouragement. "As I went out to bat in the first innings Mahela asked me not to worry about anything and to just play my natural game.

The first run was really hard to get and I was nervous. I was in two minds, wondering whether to pull, drive or what shot to play. Anyway, the first elusive run came and from thereon it was smooth sailing as I began to gain in confidence.

"The fact that I was in the 90s didn't really bother me. I spoke with Prasanna just before I got the 100th run and our strategy was to run as soon as I hit the ball.

"It was a great feeling. Something that I had never felt before. There were a lot of Sri Lankan supporters as well and to raise my bat after getting that 100th run after all these years was sensational.

Speaking on Silva's magnificent achievement, Tom Moody his coach said:

To be very frank I haven't seen a lot of him. I saw him about two months ago and asked the question where this guy had been all this while. He was picked to the 'A' team and soon made an impression and quickly made it to the senior side as well.

"Sri Lanka is blessed in that there are many talented young players. I haven't seen so much of talent anywhere else in the world. He's a quiet bloke. Doesn't say that many things in the dressing room. If you walk into our dressing room now you wouldn't get the feeling that this is the bloke who made a fantastic 152.

"He's seated in a corner in a reflective mood and that's Chamara Silva for you. He can be described as a sort of a quiet achiever.

"The boys in the dressing room tell me he watched a lot of Aravinda batting in his young days. He was a sort of a player who was his role model.

Apparently if Aravinda made a slight adjustment in his footwork or batting, Chamara would do the same adjustment as well. That was the sort of influence Aravinda de Silva had had on him", concluded the coach.

WELLINGTON, Sunday.