Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, and Kasun Rajitha maintained solid
areas, although the Bangladesh quicks did not after their initial triumph.
The Sylhet pitch is unlike anything else in Bangladesh, with fast bowlers
having a terrific time thus far thanks to the top layer of live grass on the
field, which is unusual in the country. The genuine structure of the pitch also
allows hitters to loosen their arms if a bowler deviates in length.
Sri Lanka's quick bowlers, as a result, kept things as tight as possible while
taking all ten of Bangladesh's wickets in the first innings of the first Test
on Friday and Saturday. This was the first time Sri Lanka's quicks had
accomplished the feat since Johannesburg 2021.
Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, and Kasun Rajitha demonstrated where
Bangladesh's fast bowlers lacked skill on the first day. They stayed to the
off-stump and outside-off channels for a long time and didn't try anything new
or spectacular.
On the first evening, Vishwa grabbed four wickets, including Zakir Hasan and
Najmul Hossain Shanto, who were both LBW. Rajitha defeated Mominul Haque on
the first day and broke night watcher Taijul Islam's resistance on the second,
taking the lead from both hitters. He also dismissed Mehidy Hasan Miraz with a
good-length ball, which the allrounder attempted to pull but only got a leading
edge to point. Kumara, playing his first Test in a year, dismissed Mahmudul
Hasan Joy and Shahadat Hossain with away deliveries. Litton Das fell inside and
edged a Kumara delivery, which nibbled back in.
It satisfied Dharshana Gamage, Sri Lanka's fast-bowling coach. "They
bowled really well to get all ten wickets," he went on to say. "The
wicket also contributed somewhat. There was a thick coating of grass, and it was
also bouncing. They stuck to their basics, staying on top of the off-stump all
day. "That is why they achieved success."Our basic plan, which we
discussed the most, was discipline. Our success and ability to take all ten
wickets were due to our discipline. We bowled in the appropriate spots and had
solid periods. We formed successful bowling partnerships on both ends. That's
what we truly wanted to achieve."
He stated that the goal with Vishwa has been to keep him psychologically
prepared for Tests, as it has been his primary format.
"I believe Vishwa plays more Tests than any other format. Domestically, he excels at white-ball cricket. However, in terms of international Test cricket, he only plays a few matches. So we worked extremely hard to bring and keep him at this level," Gamage explained. "What we're continually thinking about is how to keep him physically and emotionally ready for Test cricket. Because we know there are a few gaps between tests, dealing with them is not easy. Vishwa, on the other hand, works really hard to maintain his sharpness and rhythm.
As for Kumara, Gamage stated that he, too, had worked on
improving his bowling endurance following his return from an extended injury
layoff. "He's suffered some ailments in the last couple of years. "We
have worked hard on workload in the last few months," Gamage stated.
"We attempt to bowl several long periods in practice to get used to
bowling in Test cricket. He is currently in good form. He demonstrated that he
could consistently bowl in the appropriate spots and cause a lot of
issues."
Since Chris Silverwood became Sri Lanka's head coach, the fast bowlers have
demonstrated discipline when bowling on and outside the off stump. They are
without Asitha Fernando, but Kumara has a strong enough case to be Sri Lanka's
first-choice pace attack. Vishwa and Rajitha have also established themselves
as regular Test players. The Test isn't over yet, and the pace trio will most
certainly need to put in another strong performance to finish it.
0 Comments