Captain looks up to Sri Lankans

Sri Lanka were granted Test status in 1981 after winning the 1979 ICC Trophy, and just 15 years later were crowned World Cup Champions.

Since then they’ve finished runners up in both the 2007 and 2011 finals as well as winning the 2002 Champions Trophy.

They’ve also been successful in T20 cricket reaching two global finals, and are currently the number one ranked side in that format.

“You can’t help but marvel at just how successful they’ve been in the last 33 years since they became a Test nation, and they’re definitely an inspiration to all Associate sides,” said the former Donemana man.

“I genuinely believe there’s the talent and potential in Ireland for us to become an established Full Member international side. You only have to look at the growth in participation and popularity of the game throughout the country in the last seven years to see how it’s taken off.

“It’s fantastic that the Sri Lankans are coming to Dublin and it’ll be a great opportunity for fans of both sides to see some of the world’s top players in the flesh.

The Dublin crowd is always superb, and always get behind the team - they’re definitely our 12th man on these big match occasions.

“I’ve played against Sri Lanka twice - in the 2007 World Cup and in the T20 at Lord’s in 2009. We lost heavily in Grenada but it was still a wonderful experience to play against the like of Muralitharan and Vaas. We came really close to pulling off a shock in the match at Lord’s when we lost by nine runs, and probably should have won it.”