Dilshan shot added to entertainment: Lloyd
by CricketArchive Staff Reporter


Player:CH Lloyd, TM Dilshan
Event:ICC World Twenty20 2009

DateLine: 23rd June 2009

 

Former West Indies skipper Clive Lloyd said that Tillekeratne Dilshan was a worthy winner of player of the tournament award of the ICC T20 WC in England. Lloyd added that the Sri Lankan batsman's improvised scoop shot added entertainment to the tournament.

 

“Tillekeratne (Dilshan) has been a tower of strength for Sri Lanka throughout this tournament. He has impressed us all with his improvisation, courage out in the middle and wonderful range of shots," said ICC Cricket Committee Chairman Lloyd.

 

"Although there were many other players who excelled in this event, I think he is a worthy winner of the player-of-the-tournament award," added Lloyd, himself a two-time World Cup winner at Lord's in 1975 and 1979.

 

Lloyd also was quite astonished by the way Dilshan plays the scoop shot.

 

"I'm not sure how he manages that scoop shot. If I had tried that I think I would have ended up with a mouth full of ball but it was wonderful entertainment and his contribution really gave the tournament a boost."

 

Dilshan scored 317 runs at a strike-rate of 144.74 and an average above 52. The right-hander scored three half-centuries and his unbeaten 96 in the semi-final against the West Indies was the highest individual score of the event.