How’s Niroshan Dickwella Public Enemy No 1?

3 March 2024 09:58 pm - 17 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

By Harsha Amarasinghe

Colombo, March 3 (Daily Mirror) - Niroshan Dickwella was drafted into Sri Lanka T20 squad last week in place of Kusal Janith Perera who is claimed to be suffering from an illness and is unavailable for Bangladesh tour. Since then the chief selector Upul Tharanga has come under heavy criticism over the selection of the notorious wicket-keeper batsman.

Tharanga has clearly given his reasons on picking the dashing left-handed opener over the likes of Shevon Daniel and Lasith Crosspulle who are short of runs in the domestic tournaments, yet the general public and media have already written him off.

Given Sri Lanka's new team composition under the captaincy of Wanindu Hasaranga where the Islanders have stuck to two fast bowling all-rounders in Angelo Mathews and Dasun Shanaka, and also the fact that Kamindu Mendis nearly got Sri Lanka over the line in the last T20 International against Afghanistan, Dickwella is unlikely to seal a spot in the playing XI, but the real question is, did he really not deserve an opportunity to be in the squad.

In his last five innings Dickwella has scored 183 runs including two half centuries, and this was something chief selector clearly stated as one of the reasons to select the former Trinity player. Shevon Daniel, Lasith Crosspulle and Nuwanidu Fernando are brilliant young cricketers, but in the recent past they have not been in good form. Bhanuka Rajapaksa is another name that many Sri Lankan supporters have been confused about. The burly left hander is still one of Sri Lankan fans' favourites especially given his heroics in Asia Cup final against Pakistan a couple of years ago, but he has also not performed well in the recent past playing franchise-based cricket. So, considering the 'form', perhaps Tharanga made the right call.

However, what many people have questioned the most is his disciplines.

Dickwella, throughout his career has had issues with disciplines, and this probably hit new levels when he alongside Kusal Mendis and Danushka Gunathilaka breached the bio bubble in Durham during the England series at a time Sri Lanka was having a very tough tour. The trio was first handed a two-year ban which was then reduced.

Since then Dickwella has avoided been on the headlines for wrong reasons, but at the same time Dickwella is going to be Dickwella. Yet, he - like all the other domestic cricketers, has given himself a chance by scoring runs, so Upul Tharanga's decision to back a player who is in-form cannot be classified a 'favour'.

Dickwella perhaps got lucky with Kusal Janith Perera's situation - as they say someone's pain is someone's gain, but to crucify someone even before they fail doesn't sound very mature either - especially given that SLC have not hesitated to welcome the players are who have even run over the pedestrians.

Everyone in life deserves a second chance, but it doesn't always work out. For instance over 6,900,000 people appeared to believe in second chance a few years ago. Let's hope Dickwella does better than Rajapaksas.

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 17

Ruwan Sunday, 03 March 2024 11:12 PM

All I can say is that Dickwella is an excellent former Trinity captain, and one look at his performances should convince anybody of his fighting capabilities.

Jayampathi Sunday, 03 March 2024 11:32 PM

It is so simple. Kusal Janith is a stand-by wicketkeeper batsman. So he has to be replaced by another wicketkeeper-batsman.

Sandun Monday, 04 March 2024 01:26 AM

Definitely he should be out of the squad along with Kusal Medis in view of a future proofing of try he team. A poor discipline records and the religious group of Jerome who created the mess of Cricket should be kept out of Sri Lanka.

Jude Monday, 04 March 2024 03:36 AM

Again the lowlife Harsha Amarasinghe making political comments off cricket matter

Freaky Monday, 04 March 2024 05:52 AM

Oh dear!!

Rajiiiva Monday, 04 March 2024 07:33 AM

This is ridiculous. Don't you have any other single player except this guy. Why don't you introduce young prospective talents with good discipline to represent country.

Ram Monday, 04 March 2024 07:54 AM

Kusal Mendis, Dickwella Dhanuska who brought disrepute to the country must be left out from the team

Dr. Champika Monday, 04 March 2024 08:17 AM

This is sheer favarism. He is useless in all sense. He is very casual in behavior and never thinks that he represents his country. We stopped seeing cricket because of Shammi, Dicwalla etc.

Terrence K Monday, 04 March 2024 08:25 AM

When it comes to selection of players the selectors have their own preferences and would like to try some players who might have failed in the past. Unlike the 6.9mn who were misled by talks of the contenders players have enough and more chances to prove whether they will be good performers or not. As keen cricket enthusiasts we expect selectors to be impartial based on performance in the past and the current form. In cricket if we fail our standing will be diminished internationally whilst the failure of the country not only the 6.9,mn voters, the whole population have been devastated,. So it is an incorrect assertion that both these examples are equals because they share some characteristics despite the fact that there are notable differences between them!!!!!!!

Nihal S Monday, 04 March 2024 08:40 AM

I am sure anyone will do better than Rajapaksas, except in corruption and robbing of public money.

AIA Monday, 04 March 2024 08:41 AM

The bottom line is that he needs to prove himself with the bat at least this time. A man who has failed to score a single test century since his debut in 2014 , playing in 54 tests

Mark Anandappa Monday, 04 March 2024 08:46 AM

Why all this fuzz on dickwella - nomone talks abt Kusal Mendis who has been a consistant failure but keeps his place probably the only reason being he is good with with officals at SLC .

DH Monday, 04 March 2024 10:49 AM

Our citizen knows everything but haven't done anything substancial in their whole long lives.

Petetite Monday, 04 March 2024 10:50 AM

Niroshan Dickwella is from Dr peters and not Trinity.

JMKH Monday, 04 March 2024 10:52 AM

Well written, especially the last part.

Rathu Hatharasboley Monday, 04 March 2024 11:05 AM

Sport is centered around Discipline of the self

joshua Monday, 04 March 2024 11:33 AM

We all know there are quite a lot of those 6.9 Mn morons, who still fee Rajapkashes are their saviours.

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

How’s Niroshan Dickwella Public Enemy No 1?

Comments - 17

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

Man who jumped off Sri Pada Uda Maluwa and went missing, found

Businessman claims Rs.50 Mn from Gota, Mahinda, Basil

Gota fires back at Cardinal, rebuts allegations

Uma Oya Development Project inaugurated

Racing event tragedy leaves seven dead including eight-year-old child

Sri Lanka weighs Open Skies amidst plans for national carrier privatization

MIRROR CRICKET

Sahan Arachchige to lead Sri Lanka ‘A’

Is Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer ever?

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Sri Lanka to establish new energy sector regulator

Cabinet nod to transfer China-built Mattala airport’s management to Indian, Russian joint venture

Sajith never attends dinners hosted by Ranil Wickremesinghe

One soldier dead, nine injured in road crash

Sahan Arachchige to lead Sri Lanka ‘A’

Dates confirmed for 78th Bradby Shield

SLAS appoints independent committee for investigation

Pakistan lose key players for last two T20Is against New Zealand