103.60.175.15 at 07:01, 4 November 2023

2023-11-04T07:01:51Z

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{{short description|Sri Lankan cricketer}}
{{cleanup|date=August 2021|reason=The article includes mistakes in spelling and puffery.}}
{{EngvarB|date=November 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Infobox cricketer
|name = Lahiru Thirimanne
|image =
|country = Sri Lanka
|fullname = Hettige Don Rumesh Lahiru Thirimanne
|nickname = Thiri, Optimus
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1989|8|9|df=yes}}
|birth_place = [[Moratuwa]], Sri Lanka
|heightft = 5
|heightinch = 10
|family =
|batting = Left-handed
|bowling = Right-arm [[Fast bowling|medium-fast]]
|role = [[Batting order (cricket)#Top order|Top-order batter]]
|international = true
|internationalspan = 2010–2023
|testdebutdate = 16 June
|testdebutyear = 2011
|testdebutagainst = Pakistan
|testcap = 116
|lasttestdate = 12 March
|lasttestyear = 2022
|lasttestagainst = India
|odidebutdate = 5 January
|odidebutyear = 2010
|odidebutagainst = India
|odicap = 143
|lastodidate = 2 October
|lastodiyear = 2019
|lastodiagainst = Pakistan
|odishirt = 66
|T20Idebutdate = 1 June
|T20Idebutyear = 2012
|T20Idebutagainst = Pakistan
|T20Icap = 44
|lastT20Idate = 28 March
|lastT20Iyear = 2016
|lastT20Iagainst = South Africa
|club1 = [[Ragama Cricket Club|Ragama]]
|year1 = 2008–present
|club2 = [[Basnahira South cricket team|Basnahira South]]
|year2 = 2008–2009
|club3 = [[Dhaka Dynamites]]
|year3 = 2015
|columns = 4
|column1 = [[Test cricket|Test]]
|matches1 = 43
|runs1 = 2,080
|bat avg1 = 27.01
|100s/50s1 = 3/10
|top score1 = 155[[Not out|*]]
|deliveries1 = 84
|wickets1 = 0
|bowl avg1 = –
|fivefor1 = –
|tenfor1 = –
|best bowling1 = –
|catches/stumpings1 = 38/–
|column2 = [[One Day International|ODI]]
|matches2 = 127
|runs2 = 3,194
|bat avg2 = 34.71
|100s/50s2 = 4/21
|top score2 = 139*
|deliveries2 = 104
|wickets2 = 3
|bowl avg2 = 31.33
|fivefor2 = 0
|tenfor2 = 0
|best bowling2 = 2/36
|catches/stumpings2 = 38/–
|column3 = [[First-class cricket|FC]]
|matches3 = 135
|runs3 = 8,539
|bat avg3 = 41.05
|100s/50s3 = 22/42
|top score3 = 187*
|deliveries3 = 270
|wickets3 = 1
|bowl avg3 = 166.00
|fivefor3 = 0
|tenfor3 = 0
|best bowling3 = 1/13
|catches/stumpings3 = 143/–
|column4 = [[List A cricket|LA]]
|matches4 = 223
|runs4 = 6,007
|bat avg4 = 35.33
|100s/50s4 = 7/43
|top score4 = 139[[Not out|*]]
|deliveries4 = 120
|wickets4 = 4
|bowl avg4 = 29.00
|fivefor4 = 0
|tenfor4 = 0
|best bowling4 = 2/36
|catches/stumpings4 = 69/–
|date = 12 March 2022
|source = http://www.espncricinfo.com/srilanka/content/player/301236.html ESPNcricinfo
|module = {{Infobox medal templates|titlestyle=background-color: lightsteelblue;|expand=yes
|medals = {{MedalCountry| {{SRI}}}}
{{MedalSport|Men's [[Cricket]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Asian Games]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[2014 Asian Games|2014 Incheon]]|[[Cricket at the 2014 Asian Games|Team]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[South Asian Games]]}}
{{MedalSilver|[[2010 South Asian Games|2010 Dhaka]]|[[Cricket at the 2010 South Asian Games|Team]]}}
}}
}}

'''Hettige Don Rumesh Lahiru Thirimanne''', known as '''Lahiru Thirimanne''' ({{lang-si|හෙට්ටිගේ දොන් රුමේෂ් ළහිරු තිරිමාන්න}}; born 9 August 1989) is a former Sri Lankan international [[cricket]]er, and a former ODI captain. He is a left-handed opening batsman and a right-arm [[Fast bowling|medium-fast]] bowler. He had also acted as a vice-captain of the Sri Lanka [[One Day International]] team, when he was dropped from the team after poor performances.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gossiplankanews.com/2014/12/lahiru-thirimannes-wedding.html|title=Lahiru Thirimanne's Wedding – Gossip Lanka News|access-date=12 July 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807031511/http://www.gossiplankanews.com/2014/12/lahiru-thirimannes-wedding.html|archivedate=7 August 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was recalled in 2018 for the national team.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/hope-to-give-confidence-to-thirimanne-samarawickrama-slc-selector-1167497|last=Balasuriya|first=Madushka|title=Hope to give confidence to Thirimanne, Samarawickrama - SLC selector|website=[[ESPNcricinfo]]|publisher=[[ESPN Inc.]]|date=30 November 2018|access-date=24 November 2022}}</ref> Thirimanne was a member of the Sri Lankan team that won the [[2014 ICC World Twenty20]], and the [[2014 Asia Cup]], where he was the player of the series in the Asia tournament.

For batsmen to play 50 or more Test innings in the top six, Thirimanne's average of 22.06 was the worst in history, sitting just under the figure of 22.07 recorded by Bangladesh's [[Javed Omar]] in his 40-game Test career. Since maiden test century at Galle he had gone seven years and 10 months without another, averaging 18.86 in 53 innings until his second test century against England.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|date=17 January 2021|title=Lahiru Thirimanne: From Worst Batsman In History To Test Centurion In The Space Of Three Days|last=Gardner|first=Ben|url=https://wisden.com/series-stories/sri-lanka-v-england/lahiru-thirimanne-from-worst-batsman-in-history-to-test-centurion-in-the-space-of-three-days|magazine=[[Wisden Asia Cricket|Wisden]]}}</ref> But Thirimanne showed good comeback in test format in 2021.<ref name=":0"/>

On 22 July 2023, Thirimanne announces his retirement from international cricket and migrated to [[Australia]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-07-22 |title=Lahiru Thirimanne has announced his retirement from international cricket |url=https://www.newswire.lk/2023/07/22/lahiru-thirimanne-has-announced-his-retirement-from-international-cricket/ |access-date=2023-07-22 |website=NewsWire |language=en-US}}</ref>

==School career==
Thirimanne began his cricketing career at [[S. Thomas' College, Bandarawela|S.Thomas' College, Bandarawela]] and played Under 11 cricket and his first coach was Sujeewa Gunarathne. He studied at S.Thomas' College Bandarawela initially as his father, who was employed at the Survey Department was transferred. After passing the grade 5 scholarship exam Lahiru joined [[Prince of Wales' College, Moratuwa]] and played in the Under 13, 15, 17 and 19 team.

==Domestic career==
In March 2018, he was named in Colombo's squad for the [[2017–18 Super Four Provincial Tournament]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.timesonline.lk/news/cricket-mixed-opinions-on-provincial-tournament/18-1041112|title=Cricket: Mixed opinions on Provincial tournament|work=[[Sunday Times (Sri Lanka)|Sunday Times]]|date=26 March 2018|access-date=24 November 2022}}</ref><ref name="DailyS">{{cite news |url=https://dailysports.lk/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-sl-super-provincial-tournament/|title=All you need to know about the SL Super Provincial Tournament|publisher=Daily Sports|date=26 March 2018|access-date=27 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180327213128/https://dailysports.lk/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-sl-super-provincial-tournament/|archive-date=27 March 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was the leading run-scorer for Colombo during the tournament, with 198 runs in three matches.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/averages/batting_bowling_by_team.html?id=12303;team=6180;type=tournament |title=Sri Lanka Super Four Provincial Tournament, 2017/18, Colombo: Batting and bowling averages|website=[[ESPNcricinfo]]|publisher=[[ESPN Inc.]]|access-date=24 November 2022}}</ref>

The following month, he was also named in Colombo's squad for the [[2018 Super Provincial One Day Tournament]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thepapare.com/slc-super-provincial-50-tournament-squads-fixtures/|title=SLC Super Provincial 50 over tournament squads and fixtures|last=Weerasinghe|first=Damith|work=The Papare|date=27 April 2018|access-date=24 November 2022}}</ref> In August 2018, he was named in Kandy's squad the [[2018 SLC T20 League]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thepapare.com/slc-t20-league-2018-squads-finalized/|last=Weerasinghe|first=Damith|title=SLC T20 League 2018 squads finalized|work=The Papare|date=16 August 2018|access-date=24 November 2022}}</ref> In March 2019, he was named in Galle's squad for the [[2019 Super Provincial One Day Tournament]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thepapare.com/squads-fixtures-announced-for-slc-provincial-50-overs-tournament-2019/|last=Weerasinghe|first=Damith|title=Squads, Fixtures announced for SLC Provincial 50 Overs Tournament|work=The Papare|access-date=24 November 2022}}</ref> In August 2021, he was signed up by Australia's Mulgrave Cricket Club ahead of the 2021/22 season.<ref>{{cite web|date=18 August 2021|title=Lahiru Thirimanne joins Sri Lankan legends in Australia|url=https://www.newswire.lk/2021/08/18/lahiru-thirimanne-joins-sri-lankan-legends-in-australia/|access-date=24 November 2022|website=NewsWire}}</ref>

==International career==
===Early success===
He made his [[One Day International]] (ODI) debut in early 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.colombopage.com/archive_10/Jan1262673114CH.html|title=Lahiru Thirimanne to debut today against India|publisher=ColomboPage|date=5 January 2010|access-date=10 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100109005956/http://www.colombopage.com/archive_10/Jan1262673114CH.html|archive-date=9 January 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> He made his [[Test cricket|Test]] debut against [[England cricket team|England]] at the [[Rose Bowl (cricket ground)|Rose Bowl]] in June 2011,<ref>{{cite news|title=England put Sri Lanka under pressure at the Rose Bowl |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/13763612.stm|first=Sam|last=Sheringham|work=[[BBC Sport]]|publisher=[[BBC]]|date=16 June 2011|access-date=24 November 2022}}</ref> coming into the side for the injured [[Tillakaratne Dilshan]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/sri-lanka-tour-of-england-and-scotland-2011-474449/england-vs-sri-lanka-3rd-test-474465/match-preview|title=Hosts aim to expose Sri Lanka's problems|first=Andrew|last=McGlashan|website=[[ESPNcricinfo]]|publisher=[[ESPN Inc.]]|date=15 June 2011|access-date=24 November 2022}}</ref> In his first Test innings, he was dismissed for 10 runs caught behind off the bowling of [[James Anderson (cricketer)|James Anderson]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/anderson-removes-thirimanne-before-lunch/article2109947.ece|title=Anderson removes Thirimanne before lunch|date=16 June 2011|work=[[The Hindu]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]|access-date=24 November 2022|location=[[Rose Bowl, Southampton]]}}</ref>

Thirimanne scored his first ODI century against Australia at [[Adelaide Oval]] during second ODI of [[Sri Lankan cricket team in Australia in 2012–13|2012–13 Commonwealth Bank Series]]. It's also his first A List century. Thirimanne reached a deserved century by cutting Xavier Doherty backward of point for the winning runs. Lahiru Thirimanne's century is only the fifth by a Sri Lankan batsman in a chase against Australia (second in Adelaide). [[Aravinda de Silva]] has scored two centuries in chases. Also the 137-run stand between Thirimanne and [[Tillakaratne Dilshan]] is the second-highest second-wicket partnership for Sri Lanka against Australia. The highest is 163 between [[Sanath Jayasuriya]] and [[Kumar Sangakkara]] in Sydney in 2006. Finally, Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets with 59 balls remaining. Thirimanne won player of the match award for his performance.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/sri-lanka-tour-of-australia-2012-13-572994/australia-vs-sri-lanka-2nd-odi-573015/match-report|last=Brettig|first=Daniel|title=Thirimanne guides Sri Lanka to resounding win|date=13 January 2013|website=[[ESPNcricinfo]]|publisher=[[ESPN Inc.]]|access-date=24 November 2022}}</ref>

During 1st test at Galle on 8 March 2013, [[Bangladeshi cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2012–13|during Bangladesh's tour of Sri Lanka]], Thirimanne scored his maiden test century. His unbeaten 155 run helped to put up big total for Sri Lanka. Thirimanne was watchful. On 99, he gave Elias Sunny the charge, and picked up two runs to seal his landmark. Thirimanne was strong on the off side against the seamers. A single to cover took him past 150. He also put on 203 run partnership with [[Dinesh Chandimal]]. The 203-run stand between Chandimal and Thirimanne is the third-highest fifth-wicket partnership for Sri Lanka in Tests against Bangladesh. Finally the match was drawn.<ref>{{cite web|last=Balachandran|first=Kanishkaa|title=Bangladesh resist after Sri Lanka declare|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/bangladesh-tour-of-sri-lanka-2012-13-602463/sri-lanka-vs-bangladesh-1st-test-602472/match-report|website=ESPNcricinfo|publisher=ESPN Inc.|date=7 May 2021|access-date=24 November 2022}}</ref>

===Golden 2014-15===
During the [[2014 Asia Cup]] in [[Bangladesh]], he opened the batting with [[Kusal Perera]], due to the injury of [[Tillakaratne Dilshan]], who was not included in the series. He scored two magnificent hundreds against [[Pakistan national cricket team|Pakistan]], where he finally ended up being the highest run scorer in the tournament with 2 centuries with the average of 55.80. Eventually, Sri Lanka became champions for the fifth time in Asia Cup history. Thirimanne was adjudged man of the match of final and also player of the series.

During the [[2015 ICC Cricket World Cup]], Thirimanne started to open the batting with [[Tillakaratne Dilshan]]. Before the tournament, the Sri Lankan opening pair was struggling to pick up, but finally, it was sealed between Thirimanne and Dilshan. On 1 March 2015, he scored his 4th ODI century against England, where Sri Lanka successfully chased 309 runs. He added 212* runs for the second wicket partnership with [[Kumar Sangakkara]] to win the match. This remains the highest 2nd wicket partnership for Sri Lanka in ODI cricket.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/fow/highest_partnerships_by_wicket.html?class=2;id=8;type=team|title=Cricket Records {{!}} Records {{!}} Sri Lanka {{!}} One-Day Internationals {{!}} Highest partnerships by wicket|work=Cricinfo|access-date=24 November 2022}}</ref> He was unbeaten 139 in the match.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/icc-cricket-world-cup-2014-15-509587/england-vs-sri-lanka-22nd-match-pool-a-656441/full-scorecard|title=22nd Match, Pool A: England v Sri Lanka at Wellington, Mar 1, 2015 – Cricket Scorecard|website=ESPNcricinfo|publisher=ESPN Inc.|access-date=24 November 2022}}</ref>

===Comeback===
Thirimanne was not included in the international squad since January 2016 due to a string of poor performances in both domestic and international arena. In July 2017, he was included in the practice match [[Indian cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2017|against India]] and scored 56 runs. However, the score did not result in a call up for test series. With many injury concerns within the Sri Lanka squad, Thirimanne was recalled for the second Test at SSC, although he did not feature in the first XI.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/lahiru-thirimanne-returns-for-ssc-test-1114219|last=Fernando|first=Andrew Fidel|title=Lahiru Thirimanne returns for SSC Test|website=[[ESPNcricinfo]]|publisher=[[ESPN Inc.]]|date=1 August 2017|access-date=24 November 2022}}</ref>

Thirimanne was also not initially selected for the limited over series against India, but after the injury to [[Danushka Gunathilaka]], and suspension of [[Upul Tharanga]], Thirimanne along with [[Dinesh Chandimal]] were brought into the ODI side.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/sl-bring-dinesh-chandimal-lahiru-thirimanne-in-place-of-danushka-gunathilaka-upul-tharanga-1117723|last=Fernando|first=Andrew Fidel|title=SL bring Chandimal, Thirimanne in place of Gunathilaka, Tharanga|website=ESPNcricinfo|publisher=ESPN Inc.|date=25 August 2017|access-date=24 November 2022}}</ref> He played in the third ODI and scored 80 runs, which was the highest scored for Sri Lanka in the match. However, Sri Lanka lost the match and also lost the eighth consecutive ODI series to India.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/sl-v-ind-2017-1109590/sri-lanka-vs-india-3rd-odi-1109607/match-report|title=Bumrah five-for, Rohit ton secure series win for India|last=Fernando|first=Andrew Fidel|website=ESPNcricinfo|publisher=ESPN Inc.|date=27 August 2017|access-date=24 November 2022}}</ref>

In May 2018, he was one of 33 cricketers to be awarded a national contract by [[Sri Lanka Cricket]] ahead of the 2018–19 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/692671|title=Sri Lanka assign 33 national contracts with pay hike|work=International Cricket Council|access-date=22 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/sri-lankan-players-to-receive-pay-hike-1147340|last=Fernando|first=Andrew Fidel|title=Sri Lankan players to receive pay hike|website=ESPNcricinfo|publisher=ESPN Inc.|date=22 May 2018|access-date=24 November 2022}}</ref>

In April 2019, he was named in [[2019 Cricket World Cup squads#Sri Lanka|Sri Lanka's squad]] for the [[2019 Cricket World Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/lahiru-thirimanne-milinda-siriwardana-jeffrey-vandersay-picked-in-sri-lanka-s-world-cup-squad-1181293|last=Fernando|first=Andrew Fidel|title=Thirimanne, Siriwardana, Vandersay picked in World Cup squad|website=ESPNcricinfo|publisher=ESPN Inc.|date=18 April 2019|access-date=24 November 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1187360|title=Jeevan Mendis, Siriwardana, Vandersay make comebacks in Sri Lanka World Cup squad|work=International Cricket Council|date=18 April 2019|access-date=24 November 2022}}</ref> On 4 June 2019, in Sri Lanka's match against [[Afghanistan national cricket team|Afghanistan]], Thirimanne scored his 3,000th run in ODI cricket.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/cricket/report-afghanistan-vs-sri-lanka-live-world-cup-2019-3000-odi-runs-for-lahiru-thirimanne-2757106|title=Lahiru Thirimanne achieves special feat during Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka World Cup fixture|work=DNA India news|date=20 June 2019|access-date=24 November 2022}}</ref>

In the first Test match [[New Zealand cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2019|against New Zealand]] in August 2019, Thirimanne scored a match winning half century in the fourth innings to chase down a target of 267.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/dimuth-karunaratne-the-cool-captain-for-sri-lanka-s-high-seas-1197914|last=Fernando|first=Andrew Fidel|title=Dimuth Karunaratne, the cool captain for Sri Lanka's high seas|website=ESPNcricinfo|publisher=ESPN Inc.|date=18 August 2019|access-date=24 November 2022}}</ref> This is the first time a team has successfully chased down a fourth-innings target of more than 100 in Galle Stadium as well. New Zealand posted 267 runs in their second innings to win the match, where Thirimanne along with skipper [[Dimuth Karunaratne]] gave a strong opening partnership of 161 runs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/icc-world-test-championship-2019-2021-1195334/sri-lanka-vs-new-zealand-1st-test-1192873/match-report|last=Shetty|first=Varun|title=Dimuth Karunaratne hits 122 as Sri Lanka wrap up record chase in Galle|website=ESPNcricinfo|publisher=ESPN Inc.|date=18 August 2019|access-date=24 November 2022}}</ref> This stand ranks as only the second instance where fourth innings of a Test match in Asia scored more than 150 run opening partnership.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/stats-dimuth-karunaratne-joins-select-group-with-fourth-innings-hundred-1197956|title=Dimuth Karunaratne joins select group with fourth-innings hundred|last=Rajesh|first=S.|website=ESPNcricinfo|publisher=ESPN Inc.|date=18 August 2019|access-date=24 November 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/i-had-to-do-it-dimuth-karunaratne-on-a-special-century-1197964|title=I had to do it - Dimuth Karunaratne on a special century|last=Fernando|first=Andrew Fidel|website=ESPNcricinfo|publisher=ESPN Inc.|date=18 August 2019|access-date=24 November 2022}}</ref>

During [[English cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2020–21|England tour of Sri Lanka 2021]], on 1st test match Thirimanne scored his second test century. He scored 111 runs hitting 12 boundaries before being dismissed by [[Sam Curran]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Sri Lanka will hope Lahiru Thirimanne can live up to early expectations, right now|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/england-in-sri-lanka-2021-sri-lanka-will-hope-lahiru-thirimanne-can-live-up-to-early-expectations-right-now-1248089|last=Fernando|first=Andrew Fidel|website=ESPNcricinfo|publisher=ESPN Inc.|date=19 August 2021|access-date=24 November 2022}}</ref> His test hundred was also his second in Galle, having hit an unbeaten 155 against Bangladesh in 2013 - Thirimanne was going for a Sri Lanka-record 54 innings between tons. Despite his fine innings, Sri Lanka subsequently lost the match by seven wickets.<ref>{{cite web|title=England's Sam Curran dismisses Lahiru Thirimanne for 111 as Sri Lanka trail by only 44 runs|url=https://www.skysports.com/cricket/news/12040/12190246/englands-sam-curran-dismisses-lahiru-thirimanne-for-111-as-sri-lanka-trail-by-only-44-runs|date=17 January 2021|access-date=24 November 2022|website=Sky Sports}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Full Scorecard of Sri Lanka vs England 1st Test 2021|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/england-in-sri-lanka-2020-21-1242951/sri-lanka-vs-england-1st-test-1243015/full-scorecard|website=ESPNcricinfo|publisher=ESPN Inc.|access-date=24 November 2022}}</ref> During the second match of the series, Thirimanne set a record for becoming the first Sri Lanka player to take five catches in an innings of a test match.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fielding records|url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;keeper=0;orderby=caught;team=8;template=results;type=fielding;view=innings|access-date=24 November 2022}}</ref>

During first test match [[Sri Lankan cricket team in the West Indies in 2020–21|against West Indies]], Thirimanne scored half centuries in both innings. In the first innings Sri Lanka team was all out for 169. And it was their second-lowest first-innings score in the Caribbean. The lowest had also been recorded by this team, essentially, in 2018. Lahiru Thirimanne scored 70 off 180 in first innings. In second innings, he put on 162 run partnership with [[Oshada Fernando]] including his 76 runs. Thirimanne meanwhile recorded consecutive 50-plus scores for the first time in his entire Test career. His boundaries, rare as they were, were nevertheless exquisite in their execution - be it a back foot punch through cover point, or textbook drives through mid-off. Much of his innings was spent waiting - waiting for the bowlers to bowl to him. He accomplished this by simply refusing to attack deliveries outside off, thus forcing the bowlers to adopt straighter lines. These he would work away either side of the wicket as needed.<ref>{{cite web|title=Thirimanne-Oshada stand scripts Sri Lanka's fightback|last=Fernando|first=Andrew Fidel|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/sri-lanka-tour-of-west-indies-2020-21-1252062/west-indies-vs-sri-lanka-1st-test-1252073/match-report|website=ESPNcricinfo|publisher=ESPN Inc.|date=30 April 2021|access-date=24 November 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Full Scorecard of Sri Lanka vs West Indies 1st Test 2020/21|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/sri-lanka-tour-of-west-indies-2020-21-1252062/west-indies-vs-sri-lanka-1st-test-1252073/full-scorecard|website=ESPNcricinfo|publisher=ESPN Inc.|access-date=24 November 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=The Lahiru Thirimanne everyone had hoped for|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/west-indies-vs-sri-lanka-1st-test-antigua-the-lahiru-thirimanne-everyone-had-hoped-for-1256528|last=Fernando|first=Andrew Fidel|website=ESPNcricinfo|publisher=ESPN Inc.|date=26 March 2021|access-date=24 November 2022}}</ref>

In the second test match against West Indies Thirimanne scored his 9th test half century in first innings. It was his third consecutive half-century and in the second innings he put on century opening partnership with [[Dimuth Karunaratne|Dimuth Karunarathne]] and Sri Lanka managed to draw the match.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Full Scorecard of West Indies vs Sri Lanka 2nd Test 2020/21|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/sri-lanka-tour-of-west-indies-2020-21-1252062/west-indies-vs-sri-lanka-2nd-test-1252074/full-scorecard|website=ESPNcricinfo|publisher=ESPN Inc.|access-date=24 November 2022}}</ref>

In April 2021, during first test match [[Bangladeshi cricket team in Sri Lanka in 2020–21|against Bangladesh]], Thirimanne scored his 10th test half century and put on century opening partnership with [[Dimuth Karunaratne]]. He is the second highest test run scorer in 2021, only behind [[Joe Root]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Full Scorecard of Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka 1st Test 2021|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/bangladesh-tour-of-sri-lanka-2021-1255822/sri-lanka-vs-bangladesh-1st-test-1255828/full-scorecard|website=ESPNcricinfo|publisher=ESPN Inc.|access-date=24 November 2022}}</ref> During second test match, Thirimanne and [[Dimuth Karunaratne]] added 209, Sri Lanka's first 200-plus opening stand since 2011, and the first in the country in 21 years. The partnership, which is also the pair's third consecutive century stand, ended when Karunaratne was caught behind off Bangladesh's debutant [[Shoriful Islam]] shortly after tea. In that process Thirimanne scored 2000 test runs and reached his third test century, his second century in 2021. He scored 140 runs in the match where Sri Lanka posted a huge first innings total of 493.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dimuth Karunaratne, Lahiru Thirimanne centuries deflate Bangladesh on opening day|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/bangladesh-tour-of-sri-lanka-2021-1255822/sri-lanka-vs-bangladesh-2nd-test-1255829/match-report|last=Isam|first=Mohammad|website=ESPNcricinfo|publisher=ESPN Inc.|date=30 April 2021|access-date=24 November 2022}}</ref> Later Sri Lanka won the match by 202 runs and won the series.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Praveen Jayawickrama's stunning debut seals Sri Lanka's dominant victory|last=Isam|first=Mohammad|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/bangladesh-tour-of-sri-lanka-2021-1255822/sri-lanka-vs-bangladesh-2nd-test-1255829/match-report-5|website=ESPNcricinfo|publisher=ESPN Inc.|date=3 May 2021|access-date=24 November 2022}}</ref>

===Captaincy===
Thirimanne captained the cricket team for [[2014 Asian Games]] at [[Incheon]], where Sri Lanka won the gold medal by defeating Afghanistan in the final.

On 23 January 2015, during the fifth ODI [[Sri Lankan cricket team in New Zealand in 2014–15|against New Zealand]], he captained Sri Lanka, due to slight injury of captain [[Angelo Mathews]]. However, his first match as a captain did not get under way well, as they lost the match by 108 runs. He also took 2 wickets at that match, and scored 45 runs as an opener.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/sri-lanka-in-new-zealand-odi-series-2014-15-749767/new-zealand-vs-sri-lanka-5th-odi-749789/full-scorecard|title=5th ODI: New Zealand v Sri Lanka at Dunedin, Jan 23, 2015 – Cricket Scorecard|website=[[ESPNcricinfo]]|publisher=[[ESPN Inc.]]|access-date=24 November 2022}}</ref> He also captained the 6th and 7th ODIs of the series, where 6th ODI ended with a huge defeat, and 7th ODI was comfortably won under his captaincy. However, Sri Lanka lost the series 4–2 finally.

In 2019, ten Sri Lanka players including permanent ODI and T20I captain withdrew from the [[Sri Lankan cricket team in Pakistan in 2019–20|tour of Pakistan]] citing security concerns. Therefore, Thirimanne was announced as the ODI captain for the 3-match series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/27592241/lahiru-thirimanne-dasun-shanaka-lead-sri-lanka-pakistan|title=Thirimanne, Shanaka to lead Sri Lanka in Pakistan|website=ESPNcricinfo|publisher=ESPN Inc.|date=11 September 2019|access-date=24 November 2022}}</ref> During the series, first ODI was abandoned due to heavy rain. Sri Lanka lost the next two games and lost the ODI series 2–0.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/sri-lanka-in-pakistan-2019-20-1198483/pakistan-vs-sri-lanka-3rd-odi-1198488/match-report|last=Fernando|first=Andrew Fidel|title=Abid Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail star as Pakistan seal series|website=[[ESPNcricinfo]]|publisher=[[ESPN Inc.]]|date=2 October 2019|access-date=24 November 2022}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*{{cricinfo|id=301236}}
*[http://www.wisden.com/player/Sri-Lanka/Lahiru-Thirimanne/3636.html Lahiru Thirimanne]'s profile page on Wisden

{{Navboxes
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{{Sri Lanka Squad 2014 Asia Cup}}
{{Sri Lanka Squad 2014 ICC World Twenty20}}
{{Sri Lanka Squad 2015 Cricket World Cup}}
{{Sri Lanka Squad 2019 Cricket World Cup}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Thirimanne, Lahiru}}
[[Category:1989 births]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Moratuwa]]
[[Category:Cricketers from Western Province, Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:Basnahira South cricketers]]
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[[Category:Cricketers at the 2015 Cricket World Cup]]
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[[Category:Asian Games medalists in cricket]]
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[[Category:South Asian Games silver medalists for Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:South Asian Games medalists in cricket]]

Lahiru Thirimanne - Revision history

103.60.175.15 at 07:01, 4 November 2023