Sri Lanka Cricket Quotes

"After 2008, I had given up any thoughts of playing Test cricket. The reason was that the knee injury I have is something only four or five other people in the world have - mostly Aussie Rules football players, no cricketers. My doctor told me it would never get better, and that I might have to give up cricket altogether. There was a small chance it would get better, but I would have to spend a long time away from the game. Luckily I got to the stage where I can bowl a few overs a day, but that's why I had to give up Test cricket. "

"You have no idea what it means to me to have received the support that I have from so many Sri Lankans in so many different ways since the announcement of my illness. It's a very special feeling in the heart of someone to know that there is a nation of cricket lovers like the Sri Lankans who care about an individual like myself. I'm so grateful for that and for all your prayers."

"We are still two games away from the title, but we're extremely proud to be a part of a group that has been consistent throughout these tournaments. When you look back, even though we haven't won, for us to be in those situations and have pushed hard is great. Yes, we haven't won any of those [tournaments] and it's a bit of a disappointment, but we have to be in those situations and if we keep getting there we will win."

"When asked at the press conference why Mahela was not officially captain, he joked 'so you want Sanga here? I can go back'."

"[Akila Dananjaya] is a work in progress. We were also surprised the way he bowled in SLPL. He showed a lot of maturity for a guy who has not played any first-class cricket, just played school cricket. I am sure he can handle himself in this league."

"Travelling up to Killinochchi and Mullaitivu this weekend for the start of the Murali Harmony Cup. A great initiative I have been involved with alongside Murali and Mahela designed to help reconciliation efforts and promote community-building with about 350 kids from all corners of the island playing up north from 8-12 Sept. Will be an amazing experience and really looking forward to it. The tournament was launched in Colombo on Monday, to find out more about it visit www.themuralicup.com, the tournament website."

"He (Mahela) is a great captain. I think if he can continue, not just for a year, even five years, then he should be the guy to do that. Being his deputy is another great experience for me. It's a case of waiting and seeing how things go, but I'm really not expecting anything to change in the immediate future. "

"Maybe in the last 15 overs, if I was still there, the next option would have been to send Thisara. But Chandi (Chandimal) got out and I had to bat for about 10 overs to make sure that we don’t have any hiccups in the latter part. When I wanted to go for it, I got out as well. Then we thought better not to go for it."

"It was part of a learning process. We were not professionals, we were amateurs. I had to go back to school after the Test Match and others to their jobs!"

"We didn’t have any speed guns back then, I was running in and bowling as fast as I could. I hit Chris Tavaré on the head and then bowled him next ball. To play the first Test match, bowl the first ball and take the first wicket makes me feel very fortunate."