Sri Lanka’s Dhananjaya de Silva believes that his team-mates deserve more opportunities to play in county cricket in England. He believes that this would be particularly beneficial for the batters, who would gain valuable experience in English conditions.
Counties have been allowed to field two overseas players in their XI in each format since 2021. However, Sri Lankan players have largely been overlooked, in part due to their touring commitments. Vishwa Fernando is the only member of the 18-man touring party to feature in the Championship this year, playing three matches for Yorkshire.
Dinesh Chandimal has also expressed his desire to play county cricket, but has been unsuccessful in securing a contract. “The last few years, I wanted to get a county deal,” said Chandimal, who has scored 15 Test hundreds. “I didn’t get it so far. If I can do well in this series, hopefully I will be picked by one of the counties. It is my dream to play a season of county cricket.”
De Silva believes that playing in the Championship would be beneficial for Sri Lanka’s batters. “Playing in these conditions will be better for the batsmen,” he said. “We are only getting the chance while we’re touring here. But if the batsmen can play county [cricket], it’ll be nice for them.”
Sri Lanka have a three-month gap in their international schedule after the Champions Trophy, which could allow their Test players to feature in the early stages of the county season. However, Wanindu Hasaranga, who is not part of the Test squad, has been denied No-Objection Certificates by SLC to play in the Hundred.
De Silva said that Sri Lanka have prepared well for the second Test at Lord’s and will make two changes, with Pathum Nissanka and Lahiru Kumara replacing Kusal Mendis and Vishwa Fernando. “Overall, Pathum is the best batter in the country at the moment,” said De Silva. “He has a good mindset and he has a good technique.”
He also played down the absence of Mark Wood, suggesting that Chris Woakes had been harder to face. “The speed is not troubling me, but the line and length,” said De Silva. “The opening bowler, he bowls in one area for 20 to 30 balls and that’s the problem we have: with the swinging ball, not the pace… if the plans work here, we’ll get on top.”
