Vishwa makes big impact on debut with Yorkshire

Sri Lanka’s Test left-arm fast bowler Vishwa Fernando made a memorable debut for his new county Yorkshire in the English county championship taking 4/48 in the first innings and 1/26 in the second against Northamptonshire at Northampton.

The match ended in a draw with Yorkshire picking up 14 points but remaining seventh in the Division Two table still without a win.

With his first scalp, that of Northants opener Ricardo Vasconselos whom he had caught behind, Fernando completed 300 wickets in first-class cricket.

For Fernando it is his second stint in the county championship having played two games last season for Durham and contributing seven wickets (best figures of 4/40 against Leicestershire) to their promotion-winning campaign.

“It was a good experience for me and my career,” said Fernando, of last year’s spell with Durham. “It was a nice time. I got some wickets, and the team did really well in that time.”

Fingers crossed Yorkshire are hoping the left-armer can have a similar impact to get their own promotion bid back on track following two defeats and four draws in the first six games.

“This is a good competition with a lot of big names involved, so it’s a big thing for me,” Fernando continued. “I’m hoping it will be a really good time for me. Yorkshire is a big club with a big history, the biggest in county cricket. I’m looking forward to doing my best for the team, so I will give my 100 percent.”

Yorkshire coach Ottis Gibson said, “Vishwa’s a very good bowler. He’s skiddy, and he’s got good control and swings the ball both ways. Hopefully, he’ll come in and take wickets with the new ball. What he’ll also do is with his left-arm angle, he’ll bring one of our spinners into the game for sure.” From Fernando’s point of view this short stint with Yorkshire for three county matches will buy him the experience of bowling in English conditions, especially with Sri Lanka due to make a three-Test tour to England in August.

Fernando will remain with Yorkshire for their next two county championship games against Gloucestershire at Scarborough and Derbyshire at Chesterfield in the second half of June.                 – (ST)