Ken Borland

Sri Lanka captain Tillakaratne Dilshan said on Wednesday that he is confident his board will honour their obligations in terms of paying the players before the first test against South Africa begins on December 15 in Centurion.

Sri Lanka’s players have not been paid their salaries since the World Cup ended in April, but sports minister Mahindanda Altuthgamage promised on Tuesday that they would be paid 65% of their outstanding monies “within three days” and the rest by January.

Dilshan told reporters in Benoni on Wednesday that he trusted Altuthgamage’s word.

“I think they will try and sort it out within the next week. That’s the news I’ve got from the cricket board. They are going to sort out all the payments.

“Yes, payment is important, but we have come here to play cricket, we just try to play good cricket and finish this tour. That’s the main target for the team, we are not worried about the payments.

“We have had discussions, myself and the cricket association, the last few weeks and they promised they will sort it out next week. They are definitely going to sort it out before the first test. That’s what I heard from the cricket board. As a captain, I have to focus on cricket and not worry about the payments,” Dilshan said.

The Sri Lanka captain thanked his South African counterpart, Graeme Smith, and vice-captain AB de Villiers for their aid after issuing a statement that called on Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to settle the outstanding amounts owed to the players.

“I have to give thanks at this moment to AB and Graeme Smith. Both players giving a statement – it might be a little bit of help for us. I want to thank the South African players,” Dilshan said.

Sri Lanka are chasing their first series win in South Africa, having lost here in 1997/98, 2000/01 and 2002/03, and Dilshan said it was crucial they adapted to the conditions as quickly as possible.

“We have to get used to the conditions as soon as possible. We haven’t played a test match here for a while, but we have played one-day series on-and-off in South Africa. Mahela Jayawardena and Kumar Sangakkara have played a lot of cricket in South Africa and if we can get ready for these conditions, I can say it will be a good series,” the opening batsman said.

Dilshan was appointed as Sri Lanka’s captain after the World Cup, since when they have lost test series to England, Australia and Pakistan, and the 35-year-old admitted that the team still relied heavily on his two predecessors, Sangakkara and Jayawardena.

“They are experienced guys. We have Mahela close to 10,000 runs, Kumar 9,000 runs. Those are the experienced guys in the camp and two of the most experienced guys in world cricket. We can bat around them.

“Sanga, Mahela and myself really like a bouncy track and we can use that experience here,” Dilshan said.

Sri Lanka’s batting has failed to take command in recent tests and Dilshan said his batsmen could not afford another inconsistent series.

“We know the last few series our batting didn’t click. That’s the main goal for us, to see that our batting unit can put some runs on the board,” he said.

Half of the Sri Lankan group are new to international cricket in South Africa and Dilshan said they would feel the pressure.

“We are carrying a few young players. It’s not easy coming to South Africa, especially as they have been playing good cricket. We can’t do any mistakes here, they are a good team.”

Sri Lanka are in Benoni for the only warm-up match of the tour, against an SA Invitation XI starting on Friday.

“We have to adjust as soon as possible to these conditions and if we can use this three-day game properly, it will obviously be helpful before the test match,” Dilshan said.

The Centurion test is the first of three tests in the series, the others being played in Durban from December 26 and in Cape Town from January 3.