Dimi says it’s great to be back

It is intriguing to know as to who was responsible for introducing the internet to the modern world and thus being responsible for the modern concept called the global village. However at the same time one may agree that the game of cricket was a global village to many with an Indian Maharajah by the name of Ranjith Singji donning the English flannels at the turn of the century. Since then many a foreign players have turn out for other countries with Dimitri Mascarenhas being the first of the Lankan descent to wear the England jersey.

Dimitri Mascarenhas was born in Middlesex, England on October 30, 1977, after his parents who hailed from Negombo had migrated to the United Kingdom in the mid seventies. Subsequently the Mascarenhas family moved to Melbourne few years later and Dimitri, nicknamed "Dimi", was brought up in Melbourne, before meeting Paul Terry at Perth. Terry, who was playing for Hampshire, saw the talent of the hidden youngster and asked him to join his county in England.

Having made his début against West Indies in the last summer, at Lords, Mascarenhas made his presence felt during England's 4-3 ODI series win against India, just prior to Twenty20 World Cup. At Bristol, this dusky dasher hit 52 off 39 balls to guide England 320/8 while clobbering Yuvraj Singh for five consecutive sixes hitting 36 off 15 balls.

The Sunday Times caught up with this English born Sri Lankan now turning out for country of his birth in Dambulla while the rest of the England cricketers savouring a hard earned victory over Sri Lanka which had come their way after a quarter of a century.

Q: Since your parents are from Sri Lanka, what went through your mind when you heard that you are a member of the Sri Lanka tour party?

A: I was pretty excited actually. I wasn't here since 1993. I came to Sri Lanka on holiday in 1993 and I was excited to see the places where my mum and dad grew up.

Q: Can you recall your childhood in Sri Lanka?

A: Oh! I was just 10 months old by the time.

Q: Why did your family move from England to Australia?

A: I think it's due to work opportunities for my dad. He had lots of friends out there as well. He was in the restaurant business.

Q: How did you get interested in cricket?

A: My dad played cricket. He and my uncle played cricket for St. Mary’s College, Negombo. When we moved to Australia, my elder brother (Malintha) played cricket there. I just followed them on.

Q: What was your very first cricketing experience?

A: When I was seven years old, I played cricket for Ringwood U-12 team, in Melbourne. I batted at number eleven; I got a duck and didn't bowl.

Q: Who are your relations, still living in Sri Lanka?

A: My grandmother is still living in Negombo. Some of my aunties and uncles are also living in Negombo. There are a few more relations around Colombo as well.

Q: Did you go to see your grandma on your return to the island and being a member of England team and what was her reaction?

A: Oh! Yes. She was very excited and speechless. She came to watch the practice game we played. She'll come to see other games in Colombo as well.

Q: Why didn't you play in the first two games? Were you injured?

A: I was injured in the practice game but I was fit for the first two games. I was not just selected.

Q: Didn't you try to go around Dambulla during the last few days?

A: To be honest, I haven't done much. I've been in the hotel and training. Hasn't had the opportunity of visiting places.

Q: You've played for Hampshire County in the last 12 seasons?

A: Present Hampshire coach, Paul Terry, who played for Hampshire for 18 years, came over to Australia once and played with my club side in Perth. There he invited me to join his county.

Q:Initially while playing county cricket did cross your mind that you will represent England one day?

A: Oh! Yes. Not just once, but all the time.

Q: Some say cricket unites people… how do you see this?

A: England is a very cosmopolitan place. Different people, from various backgrounds living in England and you get used to mix-up with them. It's no big issue.

Q: What's your goal as an international cricketer?

A: I haven't played a game yet in this series. My first target is to find my place in the playing XI
against Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is a great team that I would love to play against. There are many years to come and hopefully looking forward to the World Cup. If I can, make it to the next World Cup.