Dilshan attributes run rush to positional switch

Sri Lanka hero Tillakaratne Dilshan says switching from the middle to top order has helped develop him into a fearsome run machine.

He scored 106 to set his country up for a surprise 55-run victory over hosts South Africa at SuperSport Park on Tuesday in the opening match of the 2009 ICC Champions Trophy.

Sri Lanka amassed 319-8 on a run-friendy pitch and spinner Ajantha Mendis snatched three key wickets as South Africa slumped to 206-7 before rain halted play with 74 balls left and the Duckworth-Lewis system came into play.

"I have been in good form for the past 12 months and believe moving from the middle order to the top has helped me a lot," revealed Dilshan after receiving the man-of-the-match award.

"As an opener I feel I have more chances to build an innings and Kumar (captain Sangakkara) and I have developed a wonderful partnership in which we know how to assist each other."

It was the third ODI century by the 2009 ICC Cricketer of the Year and Test Player of the Year nominee and his career-best 137 came this year against Pakistan in Karachi.

Dilshan struck 16 fours and one six in a near-flawless knock before being caught at the boundary by Albie Morkel off the bowling of right-arm speedster Dale Steyn. "Tilla and Ajantha were outstanding but this victory is history now and we must capitalise on it otherwise it will be worthless," warned the skipper-cum-batsman-cum-wicketkeeper.

"The big challenge with Ajantha was when to bring him on and against who," said Sangakkara. Smith said the Proteas - joint pre-tournament favourites with defending champions Australia for the two-million-dollar first prize - had to improve quickly or face a humiliating early exit.

 CENTURION, South Africa, AFP