“I tried to earn the place at the National team from long ago and this is the result of my dedication,” said wicket keeper batter Sadeera Samarawickrama with an exclusive interview to the Daily News before the Indian tour.
“I worked hard and also changed my club Colts CC to Tamil Union to get this success and I am very happy to get Player of the Tournament award at the LPL tournament.
Getting place at final eleven is difficult while I had to sit on the bench at the early LPL matches. But Jaffna Kings team management made a decision to give chance for the final eleven later and I did my best and finally we won the LPL championship. I am happy to give my service to team’s victory,” said former St Josephs skipper Sadeera Samarawickrama who won the 2014 Observer-Mobitel Schoolboy cricketer award.
“I played my normal game while playing as a wicket keeper gave much confidence to batting. When I do wicket keeping my eyes are more familiar with the ball and that is more beneficial to play as a batter. I never liked to label for one format and like to play all three formats and wanted to stay for a long period as a National player. I know that keeping my fitness as well as confidence is always very important to continue this sport, said Samarawickrama.
“This type of LPL franchise tournaments always help players to get more exposure at the T-20 format. Involving with foreign players and coaches are extra benefits and I must thank to Sri Lanka Cricket for organize LPL with IGP group and hope they will continue this tournament on annual basis,” added Samarawickrama.
The 27-year-old right hander already played four Test matches, seven ODI’s and nine T-20’s. He played his last Test in 2017 against India in New Delhi and played his last ODI in 2019 against Pakistan in Karachi and played his last T-20 in last year July against India in Colombo R. Premadasa International stadium. Once again he was recalled for the Sri Lanka T-20 and ODI squad for this ongoing Indian series. The prolific run-getter Samarawickrama playing as a top order batter most of the times open the bat and already played 75 first class matches scoring 4864 runs with an 38.04 average and he has scored 12 centuries and 20 half centuries to his credit and as a wicket keeper he took 117 catches and 16 stumps.
“Actually I started cricket from St Joseph’s College Colombo and I must thank all my college coaches, my first club Colts CC coaches and presently my Tamil Union coaches and the Club Management. My parents and my wife always back me to continue my cricket career and hope to do my best for the team and the country,” said Sadeera.
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