Multi-tasking Dilshan set to open against New Zealand

Tillakaratne Dilshan will add another feather to his all-rounder’s cap when he opens the batting for Sri Lanka in the first Test against New Zealand in Galle from Tuesday.

Tillakaratne Dilshan will add another feather to his all-rounder’s cap when he opens the batting for Sri Lanka in the first Test against New Zealand in Galle from Tuesday.

HT Image

Dilshan agreed to open to lend balance to the team despite playing all his 55 Tests so far in the middle-order where he has scored 3,166 runs at an average of 41.11 with eight centuries.

“Dilshan is the sort of bloke who would willingly do any job for the team,” Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara said ahead of the Test at the Galle International Stadium.

“He had himself made the suggestion after opening the batting in the World Twenty20 in June, so we decided to give it a go to maintain the balance of the side.”

“It is not an easy job to open in Tests. We will see if it works out in the series, otherwise we will revert to a specialist.”