Jayawardene keen to finish career with ICC trophy

COLOMBO: He has been a part of losing side in three World Cup finals but Mahela Jayawardene is hoping to turn the tables during the upcoming World Twenty20 as he wants to win at least one major ICC silverware before he calls time on his glorious international career. “Yes, we need to push a bit more. We will take each round as work in progress, try and execute a good game plan to accomplish a win,” Jayawardene told reporters here on Monday.
 Jayawardene's brilliant century went in vain as his side lost to India in Mumbai at the World Cup final 2011. He was also the skipper of Sri Lanka team that went down to Australia in the final of 2007 World Cup final in the West Indies and was also a part of the World T20 final defeat at the hands of Pakistan in England back in 2009. Jayawardene is now looking forward to contributions from the youngsters in the mega-event. Commenting on the inclusion of Dilshan Munaweera, an uncapped opening batsman, the Sri Lankan captain said that the right-hander was on the Sri Lankan selection radars for sometime. “Very excited about Munaweera. He had a great 12 months and did particularly well at the SLPL (Sri Lanka Premier League). He brings in a bit of fresh air to the team.”
Jayawardene, who has handpicked the 18-year-old right-arm off break bowler Akila Dananjaya, said the youngster had shown a lot of maturity for someone who had only played school cricket. “We need to make the right calls in selecting him against the right opponents, not putting him under too much pressure,” he insisted.
Sri Lanka will play the opening game of the tournament against Zimbabwe in Hambantota. Jayawardene said that the Twenty20 game had evolved a lot since the first World Cup in 2007. “Everyone was new to the concept. Then it was difficult for us to think of the right combinations. The T20 game has changed a lot over the last five years and now every player has a different role with new tactics being used,” said Jayawardene. Jayawardene and India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni are the only surviving skippers from the inaugural T20 World Cup in South Africa.
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