Batsman Lahiru Thirimanne wants to capitalise on a solid stretch of form at domestic level, when Sri Lanka’s World Cup campaign gets underway against New Zealand at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff, Wales, on Saturday.

Thirimanne struck 82 and 115 for Galle in List A competition before heading to the United Kingdom – and has since collected 44 not out in an ODI against Scotland and 56 in a warm-up fixture against Australia.

‘I was in the Test side five or six months ago, so it was not that hard to get in the squad. But we had a domestic tournament about a month ago, so I had a chance to perform well there and get into the team,’ said Thirimanne.

‘It was a good tournament for me because even though I played the last World Cup, and everyone thought I can somehow contribute to the team in this World Cup, I was lucky I had a chance to perform well in the domestic season and get into the team.’

Like captain and opening batsman Dimuth Karunaratne, the left-handed Thirimanne exercises workmanlike calculation rather than big-hitting exploits.

‘You have 50 overs, it’s a long game. You have 300 balls to work on your game, it’s a long game I believe. I stick to my game plan. But if the opportunities are there, I will play different shots,’ he added.

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