Why Samaraweera not getting the respect he deserves

If you ask from most of the cricket fans who is the best batsman in Sri Lanka, most of them would say either Kumar Sangakkara or Mahela Jayawardene. But there is a man who is always there to rescue Sri Lanka when they are in a trouble. Who doesn't speak much, but very determined player. Who started his career as on off spinner, but he transformed himself into a high quality test batsman after realizing he will not be able to make into the playing XI until the Legend Murali is there. Even a bullet traveled 12 inches into his thigh could not stop this man. He is Thilan Samaraweera. Many people criticize him as a heavy runs scorer in batting friendly subcontinent conditions.

Let's have a look at highest overall averages by Sri Lankan test batsman who has played more than 20 test matches.

Definition of a great batsman could be subjective. But generally what we expect from a great player is ability to perform in all conditions against quality bowling. Let's see Sri Lankan batsmen with top averages out side subcontinent against top test playing nations [which means excluding Zimbabwe and Bangladesh]. Minimum qualification is players who have played at least 10 Test matches in Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa and West Indies.

You can see most of the batsmen having difference of about 10 runs between overall average and this average. Surprisingly Asanka Gurusinha has a better average outside subcontinent than in subcontinent. After that, Samaraweera has the best average. Sangakkara is just behind him. Marvan Atapattu averaged 35.68 which is a decent figure for a test opener. T.M. Dilshan averages 34.21 , but 11 out of 16 matches he has played as a middle order batsman. In other 5 matches as an opener, he averages 44.33 outside subcontinent. Mahela Jayawardene average miserable 32.53 outside subcontinent.

Even outside the subcontinent there could be high scoring runs fiestas. So let's see their record excluding drawn matches. This might be bit harsh considering an interesting draws like Adelaide test [Australia vs South Africa] in couple of weeks ago also get exclude with this. Match saving innings like Faf du Plessis's will not get any credit, but this is the only way to exclude draws on high ways. So no need to consider this stat much seriously. But still this does mean something.

In that sense Samaraweera has the best average from Sri Lanka. Sangakkara just behind him. Others ? I don't know what to say. You decide.

Samaraweera started his career as a spinner. People said he is a flat track bully after he improved his batting. He had a point to prove in Sri Lanka's tour of South Africa in last year. Surprising many, he became Sri Lanka's best batsman in that tour. Thanks to centuries from Samaraweera and Sangakkara at Durban, Sri Lanka managed to record their first ever Test win in South Africa. He tried his best at Cape Town to save the 3rd test but just managed to carry his bat with a century in the 2nd innings. These statistics prove that Samaraweera is Sri Lanka's one of the best batsmen in away conditions and probably the best in handling swing and seam movement. As above table suggests, Samaraweera has another [and some other Sri Lankan batsmen who has more gifted talent than Samaraweera, have a] point to prove in upcoming Sri Lanka's tour of Australia.


Samaraweera may not be the most gifted batsman Sri Lanka ever produced. But certainly he is one of the grittiest players ever to play the game.