Fast bowler, Nuwan Pradeep, has become the latest to join the elite catalogue of injured bowlers when he strained his hamstring during a training session on Monday. The list already consists of the names of Dhammika Prasad, Suranga Lakmal, Dushmantha Chameera and Jeffrey Vandersay. Shaminda Eranga was recently banned for illegal bowling action.
The Sri Lankan side was forced to play three spinners in the first test and the only fast bowler in the team as Nuwan Pradeep. With Nuwan Pradeep injured, Sri Lanka has to field one of their two uncapped fast bowlers in Vishwa Fernando and Asitha Fernando.
As the causalities have been increasing on end, the management has been coerced to rake the bottom of the barrel. Since there is a risk of losing all fast bowlers to injuries, given the trend, Sri Lanka Cricket has requested all its fans to stay on alert as they might be required to roll their arm over anytime.
“We fear that our fast bowling reserve would be exhausted soon. So we have decided to recruit anyone who is willing to bowl with a run-up of a few paces,” said a source close to the SLC. “We humbly request Sri Lanka cricket fans to be ready anytime. There will be pace bowling contests around the stadiums. Those who are lucky enough to get picked would be fast-tracked into the national team, should the last recognized fast bowler also lose his wicket to an injury,” he further added.
“Lasith Malinga was bowling in the beach before he joined the team. Pradeep and Eranga emerged through a fast bowling contest. We believe in the raw talents we have in the island,” Sri Lanka’s fast bowling coach told Cricket Machan.
However, Sri Lankan parents have expressed their fear that their children might become crippled for life if they join the Sri Lankan team as fast bowlers. “They are fit and healthy now. If they join cricket, I am pretty sure they will injure themselves,” said a petulant mother.
