Tillakaratne: I had to prove that I could perform at the highest level

With the selectorial axe hanging over his head Hashan Tillakaratne walked out to bat on Thursday evening knowing that this was likely to be his last chance to resurrect his Test career after two years in the wilderness.

The wicket may have been good and the bowling ordinary, but Tillakaratne played under incredible pressure and his unbeaten 136 was not only his highest Test score, beating the 126 he scored against Zimabawe five years ago, but it was his best innings.

"I was feeling tense beforehand as I had a couple of hiccups in the series," he admitted afterwards. "I decided before the innings, however, that I had to play my natural game and enjoy myself, which I did not do in the first two Tests."

Tillakaratne's last Test was in the inaugural Asian Test Championship final against Pakistan in 1999. He was then axed as the selectors adopted a bold youth policy after Sri Lanka's poor showing in the 1999 World Cup. Arjuna Ranatunga and Aravinda de Silva stayed, but Roshan Mahanama's and Tillakaratne's careers look finished.

Mahanama soon called it quits and went to play club cricket in Australia, where he started to write his autobiography, aptly named "Retired Hurt." Tillakaratne, however, never gave up hope of playing for his country again.

At first he seethed with frustration and anger, which eventually led to him verbally abusing Sidath Wettimuny, the Chairman of Selectors at the time when he had been given the boot, in the Nondescripts Cricket Club car park.

"I wasn't ready to retire like Roshan (Mahanama) so after the anger died down I concentrated on getting back my place," he said.

He did just that and by sheer weight of runs in domestic cricket he forced his way back into the squad, as Sri Lanka searched for an experienced player to give the middle order greater stability in absence of Arjuna Ranatunga and Aravinda de Silva.

"I don't have to prove a point to anyone," he said defiantly today. "It's just that I had to prove to myself that I still can play in the highest level."

"I hope this hundred will help to continue my career."

"Everyone was right behind me and was very supportive," he said. "The credit should go the players."

Coach Dav Whatmore paid tribute afterwards: "He came back after two years without much success in the first two Tests. He was under real pressure today and must have been losing sleep last night."

"It was a great relief for him and the team when he bounced back today with a hundred," said Whatmore. "We were looking for a player to solidify the middle order and he did just that. He worked and concentrated really hard out there today."