Upul Tharanga wants to continue making runs against England, wherever he is asked to bat by Sri Lanka.
The majority of his 674 one-day international runs – including three hundreds, over 10 years – against the Royal London Series hosts have come as a top-order batsman.
But in his last two innings, deployed at No 7 in an inexperienced line-up this summer, the left-hander has made 93 runs.
Upul Tharanga wants to continue making runs against England after impressing whilst batting at No 7
The majority of Tharanga’s ODI runs against England have previously come as a top-order batsman
His average against England therefore remains above 56, compared with a career output around 33 in his 185 ODIs.
Tharanga expects to be batting down in the low middle order again at The Oval on Wednesday, as Sri Lanka bid to battle back from 1-0 down with two to play. He remains confident of continuing his knack against England’s bowlers too.
‘I have played 14 matches against England and I am lucky against them,’ he said. ‘I’ve done well here, and in Sri Lanka.’
As for his position in the order, he is happy to be adaptable and serve Sri Lanka wherever he is most needed.
In his last two innings, deployed at No 7, the left-hander has made 93 runs as he embraced his new role
‘Playing at number seven is not new to me,’ he said. ‘Most of the time I have played as a top-order batsman, but I am enjoying it.’
Sri Lanka’s current top three have only 72 ODI caps between them, and opener Kusal Perera has 56 of them.
Tharanga added: ‘It is up to the management, but they need this from me.
Sri Lanka’s current top three have only 72 ODI caps between them, and opener Kusal Perera has 56 of them
‘They need me to bat in the middle order, so I’m happy with that. We have lots of new players and we [need some] experience.
‘I’m just happy to be here and doing something for the country.’
He concedes a major contribution further up the list would be handy, though.
‘We are just needing a big score,’ he said. ‘Players are getting 40 or 50, and we are getting 240 to 260.
Danushka Gunathilaka has played just 11 ODIs, making two 50s in 10 innings
‘As a batting side, some of the top four need to get a big score – get that, and I think we can get 300.’
Tharanga still hopes Sri Lanka have time to come up with the winning formula, and steal the series.
‘There are still two ODIs left, and we are looking forward to winning those games and the series,’ he said.
Tharanaga would appreciate more top-order runs from the likes of Kusal Mendis (left)
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