Coach of the emerging team of Sri Lanka Cricket Chaminda Vaas contends that new fast bowler Nuwan Thushara has a unique style and can make a big impact if developed properly in the future.
“I have seen Thushara Nuwan only at club matches but he is not in the Sri Lanka high performance fast bowling system. He has a unique style similar to that of Lasith Malinga. We don’t need to change his style and if we guide him properly, be will be able to play like Lasith Malinga,” said Vaas in an exclusive interview with the Sunday Observer.
He noted there was a public opinion that there are no fast bowlers in the Sri Lanka squad but there are as many as 24 bowlers in the squad.
“There are eight in the national team and another eight in the emerging team and another eight in the under-19 team,” said Vaas.
“I always say that the learning curve is at the emerging stage where they make lots of mistakes. The South African tour was a good one where our players performed really well. It’s going to be a tough tour to Bangladesh as they play good cricket there with competent youngsters,” said Vaas in a parting message as he left with the second string Sri Lanka team on a tour of Bangladesh for three one-day matches and two four-day games.
Vaas said the tour was “a great opportunity for the emerging players to enhance their skills” before the Asian Emerging Teams Tournament which will be hosted by Bangladesh in December.
Spinner Sachindu Colombage is making his debut with the Emerging team and is a replacement player for the injured Wanindu Hasaranga.
Charith Aslanka leads the Emerging team that won the last limited-overs series against South Africa and said that he was optimistic of positive results on the current tour of Bangladesh.
“We played really well in the South Africa and I have been given a good squad and hope to repeat that performance,” said Aslanka.
Match schedule:
Aug 19 – 1st 50-over match
Aug 21– 2nd 50-over match
Aug 24– 3rd 50-over match
Aug 27-30 – 1st 4-day match
Sept 3-6 – 2nd 4-day match
Emerging Test squad: Charith Asalanka (captain), Sangeeth Cooray, Lahiru Udara, Pathum Nissanka, Pramod Maduwantha, Minod Banuka, Ashen Bandara, Jehan Daniel, Ramesh Mendis, Amila Aponso, Nishan Peiris, Chamika Karunaratne, Asitha Fernando, Mohammad Shiraz, Kalana Perera
Emerging one-day matches squad: Charith Asalanka (captain), Sandun Weerakkody, Hasitha Boyagoda, Pathum Nissanka, Kamindu Mendis, Ashen Bandara, Minod Banuka, Sammu Ashan, Ramesh Mendis, Amila Aponso, Wanindu Hasaranga, Jehan Daniel, Shiran Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Kalana Perera