Cricket: A look back at the final innings of T. M. Dilshan

Sunday, August 28, 2016 - newsfirst.lk

Over seventeen years, T.M. Dilshan has played an instrumental role in bringing victory and pride to Sri Lanka on the cricket field.

A master stroke-maker and inventor of the Dilscoop stroke, explosive opening batsman, composed middle and late order batsman, opening bowler and captain- these are just some of the caps that Tillakaratne Dilshan donned in his long and illustrious career.

Appearing in 329 ODI matches, Dilshan scored 10,248 runs, with 22 centuries and 47 half centuries; and on Sunday, as he bids farewell to ODI cricket and millions of adoring fans, we salute him with a short look back at his final innings.

Bringing the curtain down on a career spanning 17 years, Dilshan walked out to bat at the Rangiri Dambulu Stadium today (August 28th), with a guard of honour from his teammates.

Danushka Gunathilake opened the innings with Dilshan. Danushka was unable to impress and was dismissed for five runs with the total on 6.

Kusal Mendis, who was on song during this series, only scored four runs today.

Dilshan then proceeded to put on a crucial 73 run partnership for the third wicket, with Dinesh Chandimal.

Dilshan was denied a 48th ODI half century today, as he was dismissed for 42 runs, which included 5 strokes to the fence.

Dilshan was caught by George Bailey off the bowling of Adam Zampa.

It was the ideal swansong for Dilshan as he departed the stadium amid the thunderous roar and applause from thousands of fans who had gathered to bid farewell to arguably one of the best cricketers Sri Lanka has produced.

Following Dilshan’s dismissal, the Sri Lankan middle order gave way, with skipper Angelo Matthews, and Dhananjaya de Silva being dismissed for 2 and 12 respectively.

With boundaries few and far between, and running out of partners at the other end, Chandimal held on till the end to guide Sri Lanka to a respectable 226, and went on to score his 4th ODI century notching up 102 runs off 130 deliveries, with 7 fours.