Nuwanidu Fernando, the 24-year-old all-rounder from SSC, recently shared his thoughts on playing for his country. “When I get the chance to play in the National side, I never think about my batting position or which position I am keen to bat,” he said. “What matters most to me is the success of the team, and I always work hard towards it. Personal milestones are not my priority.”
Nuwanidu Fernando, the talented all-rounder from SSC, recently shared his experience of playing against Afghanistan ‘A’ team. “I had the opportunity to play in the first two matches against Afghanistan ‘A’ team, and I am happy to say that we won both matches,” he said. “The Afghan ‘A’ side is very strong, with a few National players, and their batting and bowling are both very impressive. Playing against them gave us good exposure and was a great learning experience.”
“The Hambantota stadium has good wickets, and both bowlers and batters can perform well here,” he said. “When top-order batters get a good start, the middle-order batters can play with more confidence.”
Nuwanidu also talked about his team’s strategy. “We always try to bowl more dot balls to put pressure on the opponent batters,” he explained. “This helps us in building pressure and taking wickets. When we can get 2-3 wickets in the middle overs, we can fight back anytime.”
For any player, reaching National level is a huge achievement, but staying there can be a difficult task. Nuwanidu has experienced this firsthand. “I was able to play National ODIs, but once again, I couldn’t find a place in the National team,” he said. “Now my aim is to work hard and earn my place back in the National team.”
“I started my National team career as an opening batter and now I am playing as a middle order batter. But whatever position I am very keen to bat and perform well. As professional players we have to adjust to play at any position, said Nuwanidu.
Nuwanidu Fernando already played four ODI matches for National team while he played 51 first class matches and 49 List ‘A’ matches.
“When I got my National debut game against India at Eden Gardens I was able to make debut fifty and my opening partner was Avishka Fernando who also is my school mate junior to me. I had to replace Pathum Nissanka’s open slot at that time. But normally I used to bat at number 1-5 and my present club SSC gives me more exposure to play cricket. My elder brother Vishwa Fernando who is National opening bowler in Test team and both of us playing for National teams will make my parents really happy.
In addition I used to bowl as a spinner and this also useful to play as an all rounder. Now I am more concentrate on my bowling, added Nuwanidu.
“When I get a chance I wanted to perform well. I was appointed vice captain of the Sri Lanka A team and this is additional responsibility but I never build up any pressure. When I am at the wicket I used to focus on my batting. Afghanistan A series was good for us while we must thank Sri Lanka Cricket to arrange this type of wickets and our duty is to get maximum exposure and our supporting staff headed by Avishka Gunawardena gave good support to us.
Nuwanidu Fernando scored match winning knock of 83 at the first Afghan ‘A’ ODI which Sri Lanka won by 8 runs (DLS method). After played second ODI Nuwanidu Fernando was back to Colombo to play T-20 World Cup preparation matches but he never like to label for one format and his aim is to play all three formats for the National team.
Dhammika Ratnaweera reporting from Hambantota