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Sri Lanka captain Matthews an inspiration for Lions CC star Chandaka
Between 2003 and 2005 Dubai resident Dilan Chandaka was playing alongside four Sri Lankans in an international under-19 practice match as well as being their opponent in club domestic competitions.
Their names are now recognisable in international cricket with Angelo Mathews and Lahiru Thirimanne both playing in the on-going Test match against England at Headingley, while Ashan Priyanjan and Thisara Perera were part of the ODI series-winning squad in the same tour.
It was thanks to his efforts in 2003-04 where he scored 800 runs in nine matches for his school to win the best batsman award in his province as well as the runner-up prize a year later, which got him selected in the national squad at the time.
Despite failing to emulate his former team-mates due to groin injuries, Chandaka is proud to have played with “these big players”, and admits he isn’t surprised that Mathews is now Test captain.
“I played in an under-19 match alongside them and they were all very good players at the time,” said the 27-year-old, who plays for Abu Dhabi-based team Lions CC.
“Perera played aggressively, hitting the ball hard and had a lot of pace in his bowling. Priyanjan was really jolly and was very focused, and Thirimanne was very knowledgeable – always concentrating on his batting and doing his drills alone with the coach.”
“But I found Mathews was something different. He had the natural abilities that he still uses today. He could absorb the pressure when he went on the crease. He knew how to act in the situation and he had the ability to play well. I’m not surprised he’s now the captain of the Test team.”
The opening batsman recalled one moment during an under-19 practice session that he still remembers.
He said: “He was always vigilant and you can say he could notice the small things like a hawk.
“I remember one time he said to me that since I was an opening batsman it was important to play only selected shots. He was always giving advice saying you have to give the team a good start.”
Chandaka still keeps in touch with Mathews, and during Sri Lanka’s tour to the UAE six months ago for a series against Pakistan, he caught up with the 27-year-old as well as his former team-mates.
“We met at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Abu Dhabi and had a good chat about what we were up to. It was nice to hear the news of how they were doing,” he said.
“Mathews was giving me tips on how to improve as a cricketer. He gave me fitness and health tips on what to eat, how to improve my physique.”
And Chandaka has taken the advice on board. Having joined Lions CC four years ago, he is now one of the most important batsmen in the team.
As well as his individual awards including being batsman in the 2012 President’s Cup, he clinched his first silverware with the team with an eight-wicket win over Al Faraa in this year’s competition.
“I’m very happy to play here and definitely my experience has helped me. I’m enjoying my cricket here in the UAE and pleased to have had a chance to play for Lions CC,” said Chandaka, who thanked the team staff for the opportunity.
