Thilina Kandamby who was not certain whether he would secure a place in the Sri Lanka team to play England in the T20 and ODI series till the previous night, woke up last morning to the stunning probability of captaining the Sri Lanka team within another 16 days.
But he claimed yesterday that he possessed the strong shoulders required to bear the heavy mantle, and insisted he was not overawed by the prospect. “Many people pointed out to me that I have a strong chance of captaining Sri Lanka and asked me whether I was surprised. Well, it may have come from nowhere, but I am not scared” Kandamby said with a cool head.
“I believe I have the credentials to be the Sri Lanka vice captain. I have captained teams at every level in which I have played including Sri Lanka ‘A’ which I captained for years. So, when you are the vice captain, you should be prepared to assume the leadership. I see no big deal in it” said Kandamby.
“There are sixteen days more for the Twenty20 match, and I believe it is enough time for a hairline fracture to heal. I am sure Dilshan will be there to lead from the front. I am ready to back him a hundred percent” said Kandamby adding “I am thankful for the confidence the selectors placed on me, and am determined not to disappoint them or the Sri Lankan fans”.
Kandamby 29, has played 33 One Day Internationals and four Twenty 20 Internationals since making his Sri Lanka debut in 2004. He last played an ODI exactly an year ago in June 2010 against India.
If Kandamby happens to captain the Sri Lanka side, he will have the unique opportunity of having three former captains under him. “I believe its an advantage” said Kandamby.
A reliable left hander who could add strength to the brittle Sri Lankan middle order, his absence was felt badly during the recent World Cup. Kandamby is a product of Ananda College and had unfortunately been in and out of the Sri Lanka team despite being a consistent performer at domestic level.
Sanath Jayasuriya said yesterday that “ it is the right choice to appoint Kandamby as vice captain”.
But he claimed yesterday that he possessed the strong shoulders required to bear the heavy mantle, and insisted he was not overawed by the prospect. “Many people pointed out to me that I have a strong chance of captaining Sri Lanka and asked me whether I was surprised. Well, it may have come from nowhere, but I am not scared” Kandamby said with a cool head.
“I believe I have the credentials to be the Sri Lanka vice captain. I have captained teams at every level in which I have played including Sri Lanka ‘A’ which I captained for years. So, when you are the vice captain, you should be prepared to assume the leadership. I see no big deal in it” said Kandamby.
“There are sixteen days more for the Twenty20 match, and I believe it is enough time for a hairline fracture to heal. I am sure Dilshan will be there to lead from the front. I am ready to back him a hundred percent” said Kandamby adding “I am thankful for the confidence the selectors placed on me, and am determined not to disappoint them or the Sri Lankan fans”.
Kandamby 29, has played 33 One Day Internationals and four Twenty 20 Internationals since making his Sri Lanka debut in 2004. He last played an ODI exactly an year ago in June 2010 against India.
If Kandamby happens to captain the Sri Lanka side, he will have the unique opportunity of having three former captains under him. “I believe its an advantage” said Kandamby.
A reliable left hander who could add strength to the brittle Sri Lankan middle order, his absence was felt badly during the recent World Cup. Kandamby is a product of Ananda College and had unfortunately been in and out of the Sri Lanka team despite being a consistent performer at domestic level.
Sanath Jayasuriya said yesterday that “ it is the right choice to appoint Kandamby as vice captain”.
