’’Amazing performance’’, says Praveen Jayawickrama’s brother

By Bipin Dani

It was a proud moment for family members of Praveen Jayawickrama when Sri Lankan captain Dimuth Karunratne asked the left-arm spinner to lead the side to the pavilion at the end of Bangladesh's first innings on Saturday. 

In the ongoing Test between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, the 22-year-old Jayawickrama became the first Sri Lankan bowler to grab six wickets on debut Test. 

“We are very, very happy the way my brother played on this day in this Test match. When he was selected to play in this Test, we were confident of his good performance," Arun, the elder brother, who also played cricket at school level, said. 

"It was absolutely amazing,” he added. 

The number 11 batsman Jayawickrama would have also been sent as a night watchman had Sri Lanka lost a third wicket in the second innings. 

Luckily for his team, the situation did not arise when Sri Lanka came into bat without enforcing follow on. 

"The lead of 242 runs was not enough. Now will get the lead up to 400-450. We are more comfortable with it," one of the support staff members said.

Bangladesh however, are not losing hope. 

"We will try our best. Yes, it is very tough from here, but we will try our best," Russell Domingo, the Bangladesh coach, said. 

"Anything is possible in cricket", he repeated.