The Sri Lanka batsman made 67 on day four of the second Test against New Zealand in Christchurch on Saturday as the tourists battled their way to 231-6 at stumps.
Chasing 660, victory has been put beyond Sri Lanka, but there was a personal triumph for Kusal, who became just the second batsman after India captain Kohli to reach four figures for the calendar year.
“I’m really happy, and I did have that target in mind,” said Kusal, who has three hundreds and four half-centuries in 2018.
“In the first few matches of the year I didn’t have that in my head, but later on, after I’d played a few games and scored a few runs, then I became pretty intent on getting to 1,000 runs.
“I’m really glad I was able to do it at 23, and I had challenged myself to get there in this last game.
“Before I came to New Zealand I had 200 more runs to get, and I talked to the batting coach Thilan Samaraweera, and was telling him I still had 200 to get in New Zealand.
“He said there’s no reason why I couldn’t do it - get there somehow.
“He gave me confidence, and I got a lot of help from everyone on how I can play on the tracks here. I’m going to try and get there every year.”
0 votes
