Best renaissance

All along, Hashan Tillekeratne has maintained that his run-scoring talents had not run dry, but even he could not have anticipated such a prolific comeback after two years on the sidelines.

The adhesive left-hander had been jettisoned in 1999 after the adoption of a much-vaunted youth policy by the Sri Lankan selectors.

Tillekeratne, 32 at the time, was too bloody-minded to just hang up his boots and slip quietly into retirement. At first, he was so incensed with his omission that he ended up in an ugly verbal confrontation with the then-chairman of the selectors, Sidath Wettimuny, before eventually simmering down to channel his anger more positively into a long fight to regain his place.

He worked furiously in the gym, rolling back the years on an already youthful complexion, tinkered with his technique and set out to regain his place with the sheer weight of runs in domestic cricket.

During the first year in the wilderness his name was hardly mentioned, but as Arjuna Ranatunga slipped into retirement and Aravinda de Silva slipped out of shape, the search began for a consistent batsman who could solidify a jelly-like middle order.

Finally, after topping the domestic averages in 2000-01, he was pulled back into the squad for the Indian series in August. He was selected for the first two Tests, but looked tense and rusty and failed to score more than 16.

With the series level, the final Test in Colombo was his last chance and he walked out to bat at the SSC knowing that he was one misjudgment away from a failed comeback.

But, hesitantly, with enormous self-discipline and determination, he played himself in before clawing his way towards his sixth Test century. It was an inglorious innings - though a crucial one for the team ­- but it saved his career.

Thereafter he did not look back, getting more sure footed and confident with each knock he played. The dour back-to-the-wall defence was supplanted by free-flowing strokeplay and he reeled of a succession of large scores.

Since his return Tillekeratne has scored 586 runs at an atomic average of 146.5, which is the product of only being dismissed once in his last five Test matches, during which time he compiled scores of 136 (not out) against India, 105 (not out), 87 and 205 (not out) against the West Indies.

Tillekeratne has been a revelation, with his resurgence contributing greatly to Sri Lanka's recent Test success. A one-day return before the 2003 World Cup now remains a possibility.