Kandamby praises Sri Lankan quicks

Thursday, 26 June 2025 00:06 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lanka’s batting Coach Thilina Kandamby praised the efforts of fast bowlers Asitha Fernando and Vishwa Fernando on the opening day of the second cricket Test against Bangladesh at the SSC Grounds yesterday.

Both bowlers shared four of the eight Bangladesh wickets to fall for the day.

“I think the two fast bowlers bowled really well. They have shown a lot of character and they have taken wickets,” said Kandamby at the end of the day.

“Except for Kasun [Rajitha] and Vishwa, all the other fast bowlers have been involved in white-ball cricket as well. We had a good three months’ break after the Australian Test series and they were on a fitness block and they have worked really hard. On top of the fitness, they have been regularly bowling and all the coaches have been monitoring them. I think that’s the key and they gave their heart out.”

“We are doing a good job at the moment. I hope that we can take the two wickets tomorrow morning.”

Kandamby, who has played at the SSC for almost 15 years, said that the SSC wicket was slightly unusual.

“It’s a totally different wicket – slightly two-paced. Usually, SSC has even bounce, so we were slightly surprised by it.” Sri Lanka’s main spinner Prabath Jayasuriya once again had an unproductive day, being the only bowler to go wicketless.

“The consistency wasn’t there, and we have discussed it. The wicket looks slightly different and we know that Prabath is slightly out of form. He is an experienced bowler and we all believe in him. I think he’ll come back strong. That’s one of the main reasons we can get all 20 wickets.”

Bangladesh’s opening batsman Shadman Islam, who top-scored for his side, admitted that the batsmen threw their wickets away.

“There was no movement in the morning but we threw our wickets away. No one wants to get out intentionally. Maybe it was a bad day for us. Hopefully, we won’t do that in the second innings,” said Shadman.

“If we can bowl in good areas, then we can make a comeback as there’s help on the wicket.” – [ST]