SL in SA: All I want is a permanent slot in the national team -- Dickwella

With Dinesh Chandimal’s form hitting a new low in all three formats in recent months, an aggressive wicketkeeper bat Niroshan Dickwella could throw up a real claim for a permanent place in the national side as a wicket-keeper bat, if he could continue with his current form. 

The former Sri Lanka Under-19 skipper has been in and out of the national team in all three formats since making his Test debut against South Africa in Colombo in 2014, but his fearless batting in the T20 series against South Africa has impressed many. 

With an array of shots around the ground, including the ‘Dilscoop’ which he could perfectly guide to third-man, fine leg or over the head, Dickwella is a complete package. 

However, the 23-year-old is well aware that his performance in just one series will not warrant him a permanent place in the side. 

“Just because I did perform here I don’t think, I will get a permanent place in the team. But I did my best in the T20 series and if I can continue to do so, at least for the next six months, I might have a chance to claim a permanent spot,” Dickwella said. 

Dickwella arrived in first class cricket after an impressive school cricket career and soon became a permanent fixture as the wicket-keeper bat at the Nondescripts Cricket Club with regular wicket-keeper Dinesh Chandimal out with national duty. 

“Yes I have not played much Test cricket since making my debut two years ago. It’s the dream of any cricketer to play Test cricket but unfortunately, I was not regular in the side. In between, I have played few ODI and T20 matches. Whenever I am given an opportunity I have grabbed it both hands, just like I did it here,” Dickwella said. 

Dickwella was not part of the Australian series but was recalled to tour Zimbabwe. 

He made 179 in four matches including a best of 94 runs against West Indies during the tri-series and then was named for the limited over series against South Africa. 

He made an almost immediate impact scoring quick-fire 44 in the opening match and 22 in the second match at the Wanderers. 

His 68 in the third match set the perfect platform for Seekkuge Prasanna unleash his furry and lead Sri Lanka to a five wicket win to seal the series. 

“To get the Man-of-the-Match and the Man-of-the-Series, I must have done something special for the team. I am really proud of that,” he said when asked how he felt winning both awards. 

A regular at NCC, Niroshan enjoys batting at that position but has been shuffled around from middle to top in order to fit the requirements of the team. 

“As the wicket-keeper I was asked to bat in the middle order in Test cricket. But I am ready to open batting. I enjoy batting at the top of the order and if the selectors want me to open, I am ready play give up gloves and bat as a batting specialist. Like I said I like to open batting be it limited over or Test cricket,” he said adding that his aim is to become the world’s best wicket-keeper batsman following the footstep of his idol Kumar Sangakkara. 

Commenting on the Dilscoop which he perfectly executed during the T20 matches, Dickwella said he learnt in by watching (TM) Dilshan plays. 

“I learnt it by watching it how Dilshan plays it. Dilshan played it perfectly above his head but I played it both ways,” he explained. “First I tried at nets during my school days and got it hit on the head but fortunately nothing happened. So I started to practice it. First I played it over fine leg, then the third man and then over the head. Now I can play all three scoops intentionally and guide it wherever I want the ball to go. 

Dickwella is expected to play a key role in the five-match ODI series against South Africa which started on Saturday (28) and if he plays consistently good cricket, he is not far away from securing a permanent slot, at least in the limited over side as Sri Lanka look to rebuild following several high profile retirements.