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Silva service as Kaushal conquers pain for ton

Sri Lankan says split webbing injury actually aided him in reversing fortunes to post century that deflated Australia's third Test hopes

Kaushal Silva pushed aside the pain of a hand injury and the doubts over his place in the Sri Lanka XI to produce his finest hour on day four at the SSC in Colombo.

The celebration said it all.

With a fist pump or two, an emphatic roar back to the dressing room and then a warm embrace from non-striker Dinesh Chandimal, Silva had a Test century to remember.


The knock of 115 from 269 deliveries helped put the home side in a commanding position at 8-312 with a lead of 288 entering the final day of the series.

The 30-year-old required six stitches on his left hand after splitting the webbing between his fingers in a fielding mishap during Monday's play.

In an odd twist of fate, Silva credited the injury with helping to make the necessary adjustment in overcoming the Australian attack.

SL shine on another tough day for Australia

"Well, after I got injured, I required six stitches and coach asked me whether I could go out to bat," Silva told media at the SSC Ground after day four.

"I took the challenge and from that moment I wanted to bat well.

"It was a blessing in disguise that I got injured. It prevented me from driving.

"The first few innings I got out, I was chasing wide outside the off-stump.

"I thought let's play the balls that are coming to me and let's focus on that."

Sri Lanka's usual opener was dropped down to No.3 for the second innings when Dilruwan Perera was sent in as nightwatchman at the top of the order. He lasted three balls.

Injured hand helped score Test ton: Silva

"When I went to the nets just to have a hit, I had had a couple of injections and my fingers and arm was numb," Silva said of his mad rush to make his way to the middle late on day three.

"I didn't feel the bat. Since we lost a wicket early, the coach wanted me to go and that gave me the confidence and courage."

Silva's series output leading up to yesterday's patient display consisted of 18 runs in five innings.

Quick Single: Australia face day-five test of character

The diminutive right-hander finished Sri Lanka's recent poor tour of England with half centuries at the Riverside Ground and Lord's, but hadn't gone on to reach three figures since the Galle Test against Pakistan 14 months ago.

Silva's selection for the dead rubber Test in Colombo was a tremendous show of faith by the Sri Lankan selectors led by former batting supremo Sanath Jayasuriya.

"The selectors and the management think that now we've won, we can give that extra opportunity to do those players who we think will deliver," captain Angelo Mathews said prior to the final Test.

"Especially Kaushal, when it was tough in England he fought really hard and showed his character.

"After two games, we don't want to throw a character like him away.

"Everyone tends to have that bad rough patch, but hopefully they can come out and deliver for us."

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Silva's innings not only delivered on his skipper's prescient message, but also put his side within reach of an unforgettable series sweep over the No.1 ranked Australians.

"I would say yes," Silva responded when asked if it was his best Test knock.

"It was challenging. It was mainly to prove myself that I can do it.

Quick Single: Run chase must rewrite SSC history

"The team was amazing. They supported me and the selectors backed me and told me to not to worry. They all backed me.

"All innings I was getting out for less than 10 and I wanted to score more than 20 and I knew how to build up the innings after getting through the 20 runs."

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