Thilan Samaraweera

Thilan Samaraweera

Date of Birth: 22 September 1976, Colombo  Test Debut: Against India at Colombo in 2001  ODI Debut: Against India at Sharjah in 1998-1999  Bats: Right Hand Bat  Bowls: Right Arm Off Break

Picked initially as a spin bowling all-rounder, it is Samaraweera's batting which has made him an invaluable member of the Test side.

Two centuries and five fifties in his first nine Test innings, batting at number seven, gave him the astonishing average of 87.16, and helped the side to nine successive Test wins.

In contrat as an offspinner, Samaraweera has lived in the shadow of Muttiah Muralitharan, only sporadically playing in one-day matches. Though he is a good turner of the ball and is is able to flight the ball skilfully to keep batsmen guessing.