Tons by Dilshan, Strauss set tone for England-Lanka series
May 16th, 2011 - 8:05 pm ICT by IANSLondon, May 16 (IANS) Centuries by captains Tillakaratne Dilshan and Andrew Strauss in a practice match have set the tone for an exciting Test series between Sri Lanka and England beginning May 30.
Sri Lankan captain Dilshan struck a fine 123 against Middlesex Sunday following his counterpart’s patient 151 in the same match Saturday.
Dilshan joined the national squad last week after his stint with the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the ongoing Indian Premier League. The practice game here is the first one for Strauss since England’s quarterfinal exit from the 2011 World Cup.
Strauss, who resigned from the one-day captaincy to focus on his Test career, said he is excited about the Sri Lanka series also involving a Twenty20 game and five One-day Internationals.
“There are some really exciting challenges for us in Test cricket over the next two or three years - Sri Lanka and India this summer, South Africa next year, I think we have India away from home, and then two Ashes series, so there’s plenty to float my boat,” Strauss was quoted as saying by The Telegraph.
“I really want us to push on from the Ashes and achieve something special and hopefully create a big legacy for ourselves.
“The idea of not playing one-day cricket is to really give me a spurt in Test cricket and allow me to play longer and lead the side as well as I can.”
- I'm not done yet, says Strauss - May 16, 2011
- Dilshan to join Sri Lanka squad in England - May 02, 2011
- Sri Lanka squad for Australia ODIs, Twenty20 announced - Jul 21, 2011
- Graham Ford confirmed as new Sri Lanka cricket coach - Jan 24, 2012
- Sri Lankan cricketers will be monitored during England tour - May 18, 2011
- Gooch backs Strauss to lead from the front - Jul 19, 2011
- Dilshan out of third Test with a broken thumb - Jun 08, 2011
- Strauss calls Test win against Sri Lanka extraordinary - May 31, 2011
- Pakistan leave for UAE to play against Sri Lanka - Oct 15, 2011
- Strauss to play for Somerset against India - Jun 21, 2011
- Aussies ready for Ashes niggle, says all-rounder White - Oct 30, 2010
- Sri Lanka recall veteran Jayasuriya for ODIs and Twenty20 in England - Jun 09, 2011
- Sri Lanka bat against India - Feb 21, 2012
- Cook to lead England in ODIs, Broad Twenty20 (Lead) - May 05, 2011
- Cook, Broad, Strauss to split England captaincy - May 05, 2011
Tags: 2011 world cup, andrew strauss, centuries, challengers, counterpart, dilshan, legacy, match, middlesex, practice game, premier league, quarterfinal, south africa, spurt, sri lankan, stint, telegraph, test career, test cricket, test series