Roshen Silva – injured but not totally out
Roshen Silva's presence has been effective for the Sri Lanka Test side
Roshen Silva, an elegant right-handed batsman, who has scored five half centuries and a century in his short international career has been nursing from a knee injury for a while and has been away from cricket since March this year.
“It’s been a frustrating few months for me,” said the 30-year-old former Josephian cricketer.
Injured Silva is hopeful of making a strong comeback for the Sri Lanka tour of Pakistan to be held away in October.
“I have started to train with the trainers and the physiotherapists. According to them it will take around three weeks to completely heal. So I need to get some match practice before making a return to competitive cricket. I am hoping to make a comeback for the Pakistan tour.”
Silva who last played during the Australian series early this year was axed from the tour to South Africa due to poor form and failed to make a comeback for the current series against New Zealand due to injury.
A prolific run-scorer in domestic cricket, Silva made his international debut in 2017 against India in Delhi and produced a match saving 74 in the second innings as Sri Lanka end the three-match series at a commendable 0-1 in favour of the mighty Indians in their own den.
“Even though I didn’t score in the first innings, I was determined to capitalise in the second innings. I was able to score 74 runs and we managed to draw the match. It was a memorable Test series for the team as it was the first time that a touring team was able to draw two Test matches in India in five years. It is a series that I will cherish forever” he recalled with a sense of satisfaction.
In January 2018, he scored his maiden Test century against Bangladesh on their home soil. According to him it was his childhood dream to score a century in Test cricket. He collected 235 runs off the two matches and was rightly adjudged the man-of-the-series. Sri Lanka won the series 1-0.
“I am very proud about the way I performed in that game. It was my dream to get a century in Test cricket. Leading up to the series against Bangladesh I had a game plan and a clear mind set. I was determined to score runs consistently and I did managed to do that. When you play consistently you will be rewarded. I think it was a reward for the hard work and the commitment that I have shown over the years” he recalled with pride.
Silva was optimistic that the ICC’s Test Championships would add context to the longer format will make it exciting for the fans. He was all out in favour of the long overdue competition, which he rated as the real test in cricket.
“Test cricket is the pinnacle of the game. I think this championship will make the format exiting for the fans. It tests our concentration levels and our temperament. All the nine teams in the world have an equal number of opportunities to show their skills and the talents. After all the top two teams will battle it out at the iconic Lords cricket ground where the best team will be crowned with the championship in the year 2021. I am excited to be involved in the championship” he said.
Silva also spoke about the day/night cricket and said it is a different challenge to play under lights with the pink ball.
“Day/night test cricket gives us a different experience and a different challenge to play with the pink ball, especially under lights. When the ball swings it is not easy to play our natural game. Since the seam is black and both sides of the ball are shiny, it is difficult to read the ball. Honestly it’s a nightmare to play when the flood lights are switched on” he explained.
He also praised his former school mate and current Test captain Dimuth Karunaratne and said he has the potential to take Sri Lanka cricket forward.
“Dimuth is a good captain. He is always calm under pressure. He knows how to get the best out of his team mates. I believe he has the potential to take Sri Lanka cricket forward”
Roshen who has an average of 41 in list ‘A’ cricket is hopeful of earning a call up into the ODI (One Day International) team in the near future.
“I have been consistent in the 50 over format in domestic cricket. So I am hoping to get in to the ODI team as soon as possible. But first of all I need to get a permanent position in the Test team” he emphasised.