Bowling Coach Chaminda Vaas’ advice helped us today: Vishwa

Vishwa Fernando – Sri Lanka’s most successful bowler with two wickets 

Sri Lanka’s most successful bowler in the ongoing first cricket Test against Bangladesh Vishwa Fernando gave credit to the advice given by former Sri Lanka fast-bowling legend Chaminda Vaas for the Lankan bowlers coming up with a much better bowling performance on the second day yesterday.

The Lankan bowlers brought much discipline to their unit to pin Bangladesh’s run rate to 2.65 runs an over compared to over three-an-over on the first day.

“That Vaas aiya came in is a big source of strength for us, because of the experience he has and the way he shares it. He talks us through situations,” said Fernando. 

“We didn’t get as much support from the wicket as we thought. We felt it was dry underneath and it’s now a batting wicket. We tried to get wickets yesterday (first day) thinking there would be assistance for the quicks. 

“Because we tried to get wickets, we leaked a few runs. Tamim (Iqbal) was able to score quickly against us. After the first session we knew there wasn’t much for the quicks or the spinners. Today the plan was to cut down the runs and fence them in. We tried to bowl patiently and get the wickets that way. I think we did that.”

“Vaas aiya’s tactics and bowling style are similar to mine. I personally have a lot of things to learn from him. As a player being able to play six matches in a row you get a bit of experience, and once that happens our confidence improves. I’ve got to play matches consistently in recent months, so my confidence level is in a good place. It becomes easier to perform,” he said. 

Fernando was of the view that even though Bangladesh had batted very well on this surface, Sri Lanka has very experienced and talented batsmen who are capable of getting a bigger score than them. (ST)