“I’m really excited to play with Yorkshire,” says Vishwa Fernando as he prepares to debut against Northamptonshire at Wantage Road this weekend.
The county’s new fast-bowling overseas player is ready and raring to go ahead of his first of three Vitality County Championship appearances on Friday.
Sri Lankan Fernando, aged 32, returns to county cricket on a short-term overseas deal having played two games for Durham last September, contributing seven wickets to their promotion-winning campaign.
Fingers crossed, the left-armer can have a similar impact to get Yorkshire’s own promotion bid back on track following two defeats and four draws in the first six games.
“It was a good experience for me and my career,” he said, of last year’s spell in the North East. “It was a nice time.
“I got some wickets, and the team did really well in that time.
Picture by John Heald. Vishwa Fernando bowls at Hove on Sunday.
“It’s my second time in county cricket, so we’ll see how it goes.”
The initial plan was for Fernando to play against Sussex at Hove, only for visa delays to force a change of plan. He did, however, link up with his new team-mates on Saturday and warmed up at Hove before Sunday’s final day.
“This is a good competition with a lot of big names involved, so it’s a big thing for me,” he continued. “I’m hoping it will be a really good time for me.
“Yorkshire is a big club with a big history, the biggest in county cricket. I’m looking forward to doing my best for the team, so I will give my 100 percent.”
Fernando’s first wicket in Yorkshire colours will be the 300th of his first-class career.
“Vishwa’s a very good bowler,” added coach Ottis Gibson.
Picture by John Heald. Vishwa Fernando.
“He’s skiddy, and he’s got good control and swings the ball both ways. Hopefully he’ll come in and do that for us, what Coady does – take wickets with the new ball.
“What he’ll also do is with his left-arm angle, he’ll bring one of our spinners into the game for sure.
“We’re happy to have, and he might be the difference at Northampton.”
The county’s new fast-bowling is ready and raring to go ahead of his first of three Vitality County Championship appearances on Friday.
Sri Lankan Fernando, aged 32, returns to county cricket on a short-term overseas deal having played two games for Durham last September, contributing seven wickets to their promotion-winning campaign.
Fingers crossed, the left-armer can have a similar impact to get Yorkshire’s own promotion bid back on track following two defeats and four draws in the first six games.
Picture by Stu Forster/Getty Images. Vishwa Fernando bowls for Durham last season.
“It was a good experience for my and my career,” he said, of last year’s spell in the North East. “It was a nice time.
“I got some wickets, and the team did really well in that time.
“It’s my second time in county cricket, so we’ll see how it goes.”
The initial plan was for Fernando to play against Sussex at Hove, only for visa delays to force a change of plan. He did, however, link up with his new team-mates on Saturday and warmed up at Hove before Sunday’s final day.
“This is a good competition with a lot of big names involved, so it’s a big thing for me,” he continued. “I’m hoping it will be a really good time for me.
“Yorkshire is a big club with a big history, the biggest in county cricket. I’m looking forward to doing my best for the team, so I will give my 100 percent.”
Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com. Ottis Gibson is backing Vishwa Fernando to shine for Yorkshire.
Fernando’s first wicket in Yorkshire colours will be the 300th of his first-class career.
“Vishwa’s a very good bowler,” added coach Ottis Gibson.
“He’s skiddy, and he’s got good control and swings the ball both ways. Hopefully he’ll come in and do that for us, what Coady does – take wickets with the new ball.
“What he’ll also do is with his left-arm angle, he’ll bring one of our spinners into the game for sure.
“We’re happy to have him, and he might be the difference at Northampton.”
