Somachandra de Silva

Infobox Cricketer


nationality = Sri Lankan
country = Sri Lanka
country abbrev = SL
name = Somachandra da Silva
picture = Cricket no pic.pngbatting style = Right-handed batsman
bowling style = Right-arm leg break googly
tests = 12
test runs = 406
test bat avg = 21.36
test 100s/50s = 0/2
test top score = 61
test overs = 605.1
test wickets = 37
test bowl avg = 36.40
test 5s = 1
test 10s = 0
test best bowling = 5/59
test catches/stumpings = 5/0
ODIs = 41
ODI runs = 371
ODI bat avg = 19.52
ODI 100s/50s = 0/0
ODI top score = 37*
ODI overs = 346
ODI wickets = 32
ODI bowl avg = 48.65
ODI 5s = 2
ODI best bowling = 3/29
ODI catches/stumpings = 5/0
date = 14 August
year = 2005
source = http://content.cricinfo.com/ci/content/player/48454.html

Dandeniyage Somachandra de Silva (born 11 June 1942, Galle) is a former Sri Lankan cricketer. He bowled leg spin, and captained the Sri Lankan cricket team for two Test matches in 1983, as the regular captain, Duleep Mendis missed the tour of New Zealand due to injury. De Silva enjoyed the captaincy, making two half-centuries and taking three wickets with tight bowling on pitches that didn't suit his bowling style. However, New Zealand won the series 2-0. He had played internationals before, however, taking part in the 1979 cricket World Cup where Sri Lanka recorded their first international victory - beating India by 47 runs. De Silva took three wickets for 29, including Dilip Vengsarkar and Mohinder Amarnath, as India crashed to 191 all out.

De Silva was in many ways unlucky - when Sri Lanka was finally awarded Test status, he was nearing his forties, which naturally shortened his career. However, he played all the first 12 Tests that Sri Lanka played, before retiring at 42. Had he been ten years younger, he would perhaps have been more recognised as Sri Lanka's first genuine all-rounder - that title instead went to Ravi Ratnayeke. De Silva also played minor county cricket for Lincolnshire and Shropshire, and later became a coach of the Sri Lankan cricket team.

References

* [http://content.cricinfo.com/ci/content/player/48454.html Cricinfo page]