Lord’s Honours Board, dream come true for Asitha

Rex Clementine in London

There were not many positives for Sri Lanka during their 190 run loss at Lord’s as their unbeaten run in London in Test match cricket that had stretched for 33 years came to an end. The only positive perhaps was the manner in which Asitha Fernando bowled. The fast improving 27-year-old quick finished with eight wickets that included a five wicket haul in the first innings.

“It’s a dream come true for me. Any bowler wants his name in the Honours Board. I always dreamed of it and tried hard that if I had the opportunity to bowl at Lord’s I would ensure I entered my name on that list. Very satisfying,” Asitha told journalists.

“Coming here and watching the Honours Board, I saw only Rumesh Ratnayake sir has done it. I was inspired to get my name there to become only the second Sri Lankan. Very happy that I was able to place my name amongst the legends. Rumesh sir actually sent a message congratulating me. Felt nice.”

Asitha’s skill test has won him many admirers in England. While rest of the bowlers have been ineffective once the ball loses the shine, Asitha has been able to unsettle the batters with the old ball by either reverse swinging it or bowling bouncers.

“In England bowlers have friendly wickets so you don’t have to make big changes. The ball does plenty here so the main thing is stick to a good line and get your length right. That’s why I was successful.”

Sri Lanka’s bowlers have started off games well bowling to good plans but it is in the third session that the opposition has taken hold of the game.

“It happened to us in both Tests. We are discussing how we should plan with our bowling attack. In the second Test, we changed the plans by bowling them bouncers when the tail was building partnerships and that worked. Maybe that’s something that we should do at The Oval as well.”

Asitha hails from the far off Katuneriya, a village between Negombo and Chilaw. He played his cricket for St. Sebastian’s, Katuneriya and appreciated the support his childhood coach had given him.

“From my childhood days my coach has been Anton Costa sir. He is the one who has guided me to come this far. He has always been behind me. Even now he always calls me before and after the match. He keeps a close eye on what I do and I am thankful to him always.”

from The Island https://ift.tt/Flguxqc