Tillakaratne Dilshan reacts after being hit on the hand by a ball from England’s Chris Tremlett during the 3rd day of the second Test match at Lord’s

Scans have cleared Sri Lanka captain Tillakaratne Dilshan to take further part in the Test series against England after they revealed the batsman didn’t suffer any fractures on his right thumb and only had bruises. Dilshan got hit on his right thumb on two occasions off Chris Tremlett at Lord’s during the second Test. He got hit on the same spot in the first Test in Cardiff as well. It was the same thumb he fractured last year. "Now I have got hit on the thumb three times this series. Same spot and same bowler. It’s not fractured fortunately," Dilshan told journalists.



The 193 he made is his career best and the highest individual score by a Sri Lankan here at the Home of Cricket beating Sidath Wettimuny’s 190 made in 1984.



"I am really pleased that I scored my career best at Lord’s. Every batsman wants to do well at the Home of Cricket and I am really thrilled that my name will now end up on that Lord’s Honours Board."



He could have become the first Sri Lankan to score a double hundred, but fell seven runs short of the milestone. "I am disappointed at missing out on a double hundred. But to get 193 against this attack that had pace and bounce is unforgettable. They were bowling well. I am happy with the way I went about things," he added.



"England bowled well throughout, especially with the first new ball. Tharanga (Paranavithana) did well and his plan was to leave some deliveries while I took some chances. When I felt the ball was moving I took some chances and it worked. "



Only 39 overs were possible during day three of the Test Match due to rain and Dilshan was disappointed with losing almost two sessions of the Test Match.



"Little disappointed with the rain. We need a result here. We are one down and had it not rained, we had a good opportunity to go past England’s total. Then if we had a lead of say 100 to 150 runs we could have put some pressure on England."



Sri Lanka’s reply to England’s total of 483 was a marked improvement from their performance in the first Test where they were bowled out for 82 runs inside 25 overs to lose the game by an innings and 14 runs.



"I once said that the way we batted in Cardiff where we were bowled out within 25 overs, you can’t say that we are a bad batting ling up. We have an experienced line up. Guys like Mahela, Sanga and Thilan have excellent records. We forgot about what happened in Cardiff and came here with a strong mind. I am really happy with the way we have fought back," Dilshan added.



Dilshan will not field during the remainder of the Test Match, but will bat if required. Kumar Sangakkara will lead the side in his absence.




Highest scores at Lord’s by overseas players



Graeme Smith (SA) 259 2003



Don Bradman (Aus) 254 1930



Gordon Greenidge (WI) 214* 1984



Bill Brown (Aus) 206* 1938 Martin Donnelly (NZ) 206 1949 Mohammad Yousuf (Pak) 202 2006



Mohsin Khan (Pak) 200 1982 Alan Border (Aus) 196 1985



Warren Bardsley (Aus) 193* 1926



T.M. Dilshan 193 2011 Sidath Wettimuny 190 1984