That's the last four Word Cup innings played by Tillakaratne Dilshan.
And he's coming to Derbyshire...
One of the giants of the modern game, Dilshan will play all formats for the club in two stays during 2015, news that will doubtless excite all supporters. At 38, the player's recent scores suggest that he is still at the height of his considerable powers and his presence, especially in one-day cricket, will add considerably to the batting firepower.
Dilshan has over a hundred centuries to his name in all cricket and has earned a reputation as one of the finest and most destructive opening batsmen in the world game. Anyone who saw him demolish Mitchell Johnson with six successive fours in an over a couple of weeks back will be well aware that this is not a star living off past glories, but a player who can make a big difference to our one-day ambitions, especially in T20. A typically wristy batsman from the east, blessed with the crucial gift of timing, he will be well worth the admission fee.
Failure to fully utilise the early power plays in an innings has cost us dear in T20 and too often we have limped along at six an over. losing wickets in the process, while our opponents have raced away with ten an over or more. If we can find the 'death bowler' alluded to by Graeme Welch a month or two back, T20 afternoons and nights could be quite special down Derby way.
With Dilshan we are not just getting a batsman though. He is a very useful off spin bowler who has gone for under seven an over throughout his T20 career, but has also picked up 39 Test match wickets, as well as over a hundred in one-day internationals. He is also one of the finest cover points in the game and has a safe pair of hands.
What a thing to wake up to on a Tuesday morning - Dilshan at Derbyshire in 2015. We can look forward to a few airings of the 'Dilscoop' - his own invention that sends the ball over the wicket-keeper's head - but also to a batsman who will light up the game when he gets going.
Here he is in action, with 104 from 57 balls against Australia. Watch, admire, anticipate...
Fantastic work by all involved - the season can't come soon enough!
More later.
Terrific signing, just a pity we can't have him longer. Do you reckon peakfan that we'll get a third overseas player from mid June to the end of July? I imagine funds are tight, but with Dilshan's departure clashing with the end of the NZ tour, perhaps we could pick up a Kiwi who hasn't got a carribean premier league contract. Adam Milne is one such player. He's young with a point to prove and he's certainly very quick. Imagine him and Footitt opening the bowling together! Not many teams would be queuing up for a match against us...
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