Retiring Lakmal ready to give back to the game
Retiring speedster Suranga Lakmal said after crediting it’s the game that made him who he is today, is ready and willing to give back to the game and country in the foreseeable future.
“Anytime if I’m needed for the future of Sri Lanka Cricket, I’m available. Call me. I will inculcate all what I know, even if it’s of small measure. I’ve always told we need to love the game and play with pride”, he said on Friday, the eve of his last match in his career.
Though he is about to join the Derbyshire County Cricket, in his maiden county cricket exposure, he still did not rule out his availability in educating his youngsters and successors.
Lakmal will call it a career at the end of this tour after representing the country for thirteen-years.
“It has been a long journey, playing for thirteen years. I took this decision after thinking my time is up. I’m 35. When I reflect on this in retrospect, I am delighted with my career. I have always seen how I can contribute to the team, rather than my own tally. On how to deliver for the team and contribute to optimum level,” he told reporters in one of his final pressers as a national player.
Naming bowlers capable of carrying on the baton, he said – Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Dushmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando and Kasun Rajitha – are all potential players. The national caps aside, he also named Pramod Madushan, from the domestic circuit, a good fast-bowler in the making.
“We’ve got to take care of them and make sure they have access to good trainers and physios. Subsequent to my retirement, young faces have to be groomed, guided and replace my slot,”
After the ongoing second and the last test of the tour, but tourists’ inaugural day-night game in their neighbouring nation, he will be spending his next two-years in his maiden country cricket exposure.
Though one door closes; another door opens for the 35-year-old. He had always waited and wished to embark into the county club, and that wish is about to come true now.
“It’s a good opportunity. I’m looking forward to it. I was also waiting for such an exposure before I quit my career, and I finally got it,” he said of joining Derbyshire.
Lakmal, also an ex-test captain, having tasted success in his first outing as a skipper, rated that win as one of his highs in his concluding career.
“Probably my biggest success was winning the pink-ball Test in Barbados under my captaincy. That was the first time an Asian team won there,” he added.