Thisara Perera Key for Sri Lanka at 2019 World Cup: Thilan Samaraweera

Former Sri Lanka cricketer and batting coach, Thilan Samaraweera has endorsed veteran all-rounder Thisara Perera as a crucial member for Sri Lanka in the upcoming 2019 World Cup.

Samaraweera admitted Perera’s all-round ability will be pivotal considering uncertainty over all-rounder Angelo Matthew’s ability with the ball.

Meanwhile, Perera played a crucial hand in the first One-day International against South Africa at Dambulla after the Lankans ost a couple of early wickets.

Samaraweera reiterated they have conveyed to Perera how important he is for Sri Lanka. Furthermore, he credited bowling coach Rumesh Ratnayake for Thisara Perera’s turnaround.

“We had a lot of discussions, and we emphasised to Thisara how important he is to the 2019 World Cup,” Samaraweera said.

 

“I think you have to give a lot of credit to bowling coach Rumesh Ratnayake also. He changed Thisara’s bowling approach.We had strong discussions, and sometimes disagreements. But Thisara is heading in the right direction at the moment,” he added.

Despite possing immense talent, Perera struggled due to his inconsistency. He represented Sri Lanka in 14 games in 2017 where he managed to bag 11 wickets at an economy rate of 6.51.

Furthermore, Perera averaged 18.25 with the bat at a strike-rate of 108.95. However, in six ODIs this year, Perera has claimed 11 wickets and had a decent average with the bat as well.

Thisara Perera has improved with the bat:

During the recent loss against the Proteas, Perera clubbed eight fours in his 30-ball 49 to help revive Sri Lanka’s innings.

Although gutsy innings of Thisara Perera went in vain, overall,  Thilan Samaraweera seemed impressed with the veteran all-rounder. Samaraweera wants the former to come good in 2019 World Cup for Sri Lanka.

“In the last six months he’s improved a lot as a batsman. I gave a lot of space to him, and he’s getting there. The good thing is, after his dismissal, he showed a lot of disappointment in the dressing room. Because this was one of the best opportunities for him to get an ODI hundred,” he concluded.