Chandimal played the leading role

Chris DHAMBARAGE

Wicket keeper Dinesh Chandimal performed an extra ordinary performance by claiming five dismissals behind the wickets to win the man of the match award in Sri Lanka’s crucial group C match against Australia at the Penang Sports Club grounds in Malaysia yesterday.

Chandimal played a leading role and was also responsible for two run outs in the Australian innings which folded up for a modest 172 runs in 49.3 overs. This performance was quite significant considering the fact that he was keeping wickets against the spinners for most of the time.

Chandimal said that it was bit difficult to keep wickets for the spinners on a turning track but he was determined to make a contribution for his country in this most important match of the competition.

He took two catches and made three stumpings to complete a memorable outing.

The Under 19 World Cup record is also held by a Sri Lanka’s Charith Sylvester Fernando who had a total of eight dismissals including four catches and four stumpings in the match against Zimbabwe in 2002.

Chandimal has plenty of first class experience behind him having represented Singha Spots Club in the P. Saravanamuttu Trophy tournament and his idol is former Sri Lanka wicket keeper batsman Romesh Kaluwitharana.

Chandimal of course was somewhat disappointed having failed to make an impact with the bat during their run chase.

In fact he played a match winning innings of 65 runs against England during the home Tri Series tournament where Sri Lanka emerged runners up to Pakistan.

In addition he hit a magnificent 143 runs against India in their three day game with the help of 19 boundaries and picked up four catches in a match against Bangladesh in December 2007.