by Rex Clementine

There was excitement yesterday as fuel prices came down and you may say that there was an equal amount of joy as fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera made a return to domestic cricket. The nation’s quickest bowler went down with a calf strain during Sri Lanka’s disastrous T-20 World Cup campaign in Australia last year.

 It was disastrous because half a dozen players broke down during the series and Sri Lanka failed to make an impact although there was lot of hope after the team had won the Asia Cup. The biggest casualty of them all was Chameera, on whom the team had pinned much hope for the Word Cup.

 Chameera had been nursing another ankle injury and when he went down with the calf injury, it was decided to go ahead with the surgery on the ankle and he has returned after five months.

 Ideally, Sri Lanka would want to wrap Chameera on a cotton wool and unleash him in June when they will in all probability play the World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe.

 Chameera’s pace could be unsettling for opposition batsmen as he clocks above 140 kmph constantly. Lahiru Kumara too can generate pace above 140 kmph but the specialty of Chameera is that he has got good control and doesn’t send down too many loose deliveries.

 Chameera and Dasun Shanaka, both from Maris Stella College, Negombo represented the Sri Lankan side around the same time dating back to 2014. While Shanaka has made steady progress going onto become Sri Lanka’s captain winning the Asia Cup, Chameera has been fully fit only in brief spells.

 Although there’s been never a doubt about Chameera’s place in the side as he has impressed the selectors with his smooth action and extra pace, injuries have taken their toll.

 To their credit the medical staff and the team management had managed Chameera’s workload well but despite this he broke down last year. They will be more cautious this time around as this being a World Cup year.

 The national cricket team will be buoyed by the return of Kusal Perera as well by June for the World Cup qualifiers. KJP is currently in New Zealand with the national cricket team but he has been only picked for T-20 cricket. The opening batman has not played any international cricket since November 2021 having undergone shoulder surgery.

 With KJP and Chameera in their ranks, Sri Lanka should cruise through the qualifying round of the World Cup.