PORT ELIZABETH, March 17: Coach Dav Whatmore has hailed Aravinda de Silva’s contribution to Sri Lankan cricket on the eve of what may be the batsman’s last game for his country.

Whatmore, speaking on Monday, said: “Aravinda has been a terrific player in the Sri Lanka team for a long, long time.

“His ability with the bat has been well documented. He’s useful with bowling as well from time to time and has picked up some extremely useful wickets for us.”

The 37-year-old right-handed batsman made his debut against England at Lord’s in August 1984, playing against Ian Botham and David Gower. Team mate Muttiah Muralitharan would have been 12 at the time.

He has played 93 Tests, making 6,361 runs at an average of 42.97, as well as playing 307 one-dayers, making 9,273 runs, the third highest individual tally in one-day history behind Sachin Tendulkar and Mohammad Azharuddin.

De Silva announced his Test retirement in October and has said he intends to retire after South Africa 2003, his fifth World Cup, although there have been attempts to make him change his mind.

Whatmore added: “The other area that is difficult to quantify, and what people don’t see, is that experience he lends off the pitch in group sessions and with individuals as well.

“His vast knowledge of one-day cricket is always there to be tapped and we are very fortunate to have a guy like him.

“This might be his last match, it might not be.”—Reuters