'Perera played same role as Jayasuriya'
Former Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga has likened the talented Kusal Perera to erstwhile opening batsman Sanath Jayasuriya.
Former Sri Lanka captain Arjuna Ranatunga has likened the talented Kusal Perera to erstwhile opening batsman Sanath Jayasuriya.
Jayasuriya was renowned for flashy cameos and substantial strike-rates during a prolific limited-overs career that spanned almost two decades.
Perera, meanwhile, is developing into a pivotal force at the top of the order – and was key to the Sri Lankans' triumphant World Twenty20 campaign in Bangladesh this month.
"Kusal took the pressure off Kumar Sangakkara, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Mahela Jayawardene, and put it on his own shoulders," said Ranatunga.
"He played the same role as Jayasuriya used to play. Sometimes it seemed like he played bad shots, but that's his style.
"Normally there are heroes in these tournaments, but what I saw was that young players and seniors were all contributing together. That's a great sign for the future of Sri Lanka cricket, when these young players are performing at that level."
Spinner Ranagana Herath, too was at the fore of Ranatunga's praise. Herath clinched telling figures of five for three during a Group 1 triumph over New Zealand before proving instrumental in a semi-final victory over the West Indies and final success against India.
"There are players who hadn't shone out, like Nuwan Kulasekara, Sachithra Senanayake, Kusal and Rangana Herath. Sachithra bowled well throughout the tournament and Kulasekara delivered in difficult moments," he added.
"Rangana hadn't played throughout the tournament, but from the moment he came, he was taking wickets and keeping the runs down. The other thing you have to say is that our fielding was extremely good – better than the other teams."
Latest
-
NewsSri Lanka v England Day 2: Familiar faces keep England in the hunt at Galle
James Anderson and Joe Root raised the bar in the second Test against Sri Lanka.
-
NewsEngland paceman James Anderson still finding ways to get better
Anderson’s six for 40 was his best performance in Asian conditions.
-
NewsMasterful Joe Root leads England fightback against Sri Lanka
The captain was unbeaten on 67 at stumps on day two of the second Test.
-
NewsJames Anderson leads the way as England bowl Sri Lanka out for 381
Spinners Jack Leach and Dom Bess were left to nurse a combined return of nought for 195 in 64 overs.
-
NewsJames Anderson lands key wicket but Niroshan Dickwella fights on
England’s record wicket-taker was immediately on the hunt again, finding sharp movement off the pitch to remove Mathews in his first over.
-
NewsOn this day in 2016: Shivnarine Chanderpaul announces international retirement
Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 2008, the West Indies batsman became only the second player to make a double century in his first Test as captain.
-
NewsSri Lanka v England Day One: Anderson and Mathews vie for control in Galle
James Anderson returned figures of three for 24.
-
NewsJames Anderson reveals nerves on Test return
The England seamer added to his 600 wickets as Sri Lanka finished day one on 229 for four in Galle.
-
NewsAlex Hales hits blistering Big Bash century
Hales has been in international exile since a second recreational drug test failure on the eve of England’s triumphant World Cup campaign.
-
NewsAngelo Mathews century repels England after James Anderson’s three-wicket burst
The 38-year-old finished with exemplary figures of three for 24 on a surface offering precious little encouragement.