Asitha Fernando epitomizes the rich legacy of Sri Lankan cricketing pedigree. This fiery 25-year-old seam sensation has brought a breath of fresh air to the island’s bowling stocks ever since his emergence from the prolific domestic structure. Though the surroundings of his upbringing in Kandy were modest, Fernando’s prodigious talent was evident from an early age. And he soon transcended expectations with his unusual action and ability to crank up searing pace. Fernando wears his heart on his sleeve while steaming in. And over the years, he has artfully combined aggression with control to leave batters befuddled. Be it the 2021 Bangladesh series where he decimated the opposition with a five-wicket haul or the 2022 Asia Cup where he outfoxed batters with subtle variations, Fernando has been a revelation. In tandem with fellow young turk Dilshan Madushanka, he seems set to carry forward the rich legacy of yesteryear Lankan bowling greats. That he has achieved these feats with limited international exposure makes Fernando’s story even more monumental. The early promise is transitioning into excellence for this skiddy customer. And at 25, the cricket world expects Fernando to be spearheading Sri Lankan bowling barrages for years to come with his unique appeal and prodigious gifts.
Batting Career Statistic of Asitha Fernando
| Format | M | Inn | NO | Runs | HS | Avg | BF | SR | 100 | 200 | 50 | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 12 | 17 | 7 | 36 | 10 | 3.6 | 138 | 26.09 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| ODI | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1.0 | 6 | 16.67 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| T20I | 3 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 10 | 0.0 | 3 | 333.33 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
Bowling Career Statistic
| Format | M | Inn | B | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Econ | Avg | SR | 5W | 10W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 12 | 18 | 1754 | 1014 | 35 | 6/51 | 10/144 | 3.47 | 28.97 | 50.11 | 1 | 1 |
| ODI | 5 | 4 | 180 | 202 | 1 | 1/64 | 1/64 | 6.73 | 202.0 | 180.0 | 0 | 0 |
| T20I | 3 | 3 | 60 | 113 | 2 | 1/34 | 1/34 | 11.3 | 56.5 | 30.0 | 0 | 0 |
Career Information
Test debut vs South Africa at The Wanderers Stadium, Jan 03, 2021
Last Test vs Pakistan at Sinhalese Sports Club, Jul 24, 2023
ODI debut vs Zimbabwe at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, Jul 08, 2017
Last ODI vs Afghanistan at Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, Nov 30, 2022
T20 debut vs Bangladesh at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Sep 01, 2022
Last T20 vs India at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Sep 06, 2022
Biography
Asitha Fernando’s journey from the picturesque environs of Katuneriya to the apex of Sri Lanka’s bowling attack has been one of perseverance and verve. His local upbringing, education at St. Sebastian’s College and 2017 first-class debut marked the early waypoints en route to national glory. Though the talent was raw, Fernando’s right-arm medium-fast bowling prowess glimmered through occasionally.
The years since have witnessed this prodigious youngster harness his gifts through tireless training to emerge as spearhead of a Lankan pace battery in transition. Fernando’s aggressive lengths, deceptive variations and ability to crank up intensities make him a formidable proposition. And he wears his heart on his sleeve while doing so! Be it the 2021 Bangladesh tour where he sizzled with a five-wicket haul or the 2022 Asia Cup where he left batters bamboozled, Fernando’s stocks have been rising exponentially. He has even forged a potent new ball partnership with another shining light in 22-year old Dilshan Madushanka, evoking memories of yesteryear legendary pairs.
For a nation seeking a fast bowling renaissance, Asitha Fernando’s emergence has been manna from heaven. The early promise is transitioning into consistent excellence for this fiery quick. And at 25, his best is yet to come. With years at his disposal, the cricketing world will be hoping Katuneriya’s beloved son weaves magic for years at the highest level!
Career Journey
Prior to his ascension to the Test team, Asitha Fernando was a pivotal figure in Sri Lanka’s contingent for the 2016 Under-19 Cricket World Cup. His exemplary performance as the foremost pace bowler was instrumental in propelling the Sri Lankan team to the semi-finals, a feat achieved in conjunction with Lahiru Kumara’s bowling prowess.
Fernando commenced his professional endeavor in the Twenty20 format with the Chilaw Marians Cricket Club, marking his debut in the 2017–18 SLC Twenty20 Tournament on 24 February 2018. Subsequently, in March 2018, he was inducted into the Dambulla squad for the 2017–18 Super Four Provincial Tournament. His burgeoning career witnessed further advancement in April 2018 with his inclusion in Dambulla’s ensemble for the Super Provincial One Day Tournament, wherein he distinguished himself as the leading wicket-taker for Dambulla, securing six wickets across three matches.
The progression of his career saw Fernando being enlisted in Colombo’s squad for the 2018 SLC T20 League in August 2018. This trajectory was maintained with his subsequent selection for the 2019 Super Provincial One Day Tournament representing Colombo in March 2019. In a remarkable display of skill in January 2020, Fernando achieved six wickets for eight runs for Chilaw Marians Cricket Club in the 2019–20 SLC Twenty20 Tournament. His expertise garnered him a place in the Galle Gladiators team for the inaugural Lanka Premier League in October 2020, and by August 2021, he was representing the SLC Reds in the 2021 SLC Invitational T20 League tournament.
Fernando’s international career commenced with his inclusion in Sri Lanka’s Test squad for their series against Australia in July 2016, although he did not participate in any match. He made his debut in the One Day International (ODI) arena on 8 July 2017 against Zimbabwe, yet his performance in this debut did not yield any wickets. His inclusion in Sri Lanka’s Twenty20 International (T20I) and Test squads was noted from February 2018 to May 2018, though his participation in some of the series was nominal.
In December 2018, Fernando was selected for participation in the 2018 ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup. His role was further solidified in August 2019, being named in a twenty-two man provisional squad for Sri Lanka’s Test series against New Zealand, although he did not make the final selection for the first Test. His involvement extended to the 2019 ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup in Bangladesh and the 2019 South Asian Games, where Sri Lanka secured a silver medal.
December 2019 marked Fernando’s addition to Sri Lanka’s Test squad for their tour in Pakistan, replacing Suranga Lakmal. In March 2020, he was appointed to Sri Lanka’s T20I squad for the series against the West Indies, substituting for Nuwan Pradeep.
Fernando’s inclusion in Sri Lanka’s Test squad for their series against South Africa in December 2020 led to his Test debut on 3 January 2021. He was also part of the T20I squad for their series against the West Indies in February 2021 and the series against India in July 2021.
A significant milestone was achieved in May 2022 against Bangladesh, where Fernando recorded his first five-wicket haul in Test cricket, achieving figures of 6/51. In August 2022, he was included in Sri Lanka’s T20I squad for the Asia Cup, making his T20I debut on 1 September 2022 against Bangladesh.
Bowling Speed and Play Style
Sri Lanka’s production line of precocious fast bowling talent seems endless. And the latest fiery prodigy answering the call is Asitha Fernando - a skiddy customer whose unusual action and pace have left batters the world over bamboozled. Honed through the island’s robust age-group structure, Fernando came into his own during the 2016 U-19 World Cup where his 11 wickets propelled Lanka into the semifinals. That nascent potential has blossomed over recent years into menacing excellence. Operating in the 135-145 kph range, his venomous right-arm seam-up spells have been punctuated by steep bounce and late nibble. No mean feat for someone who relies more on guile than sheer velocity from an unusually short run. Since his national call up, Fernando has grown from strength to strength, leading Lanka’s pace renaissance through exemplary new ball bursts. Be it the 2021 home series where he dismantled Bangladesh with a five-for or the 2022 Asia Cup where he emerged top wicket-taker for his side - his returns have far outweighed expectations for someone so early in their international journey. At 25, Asitha Fernando’s career remains in its infancy, but the signs indicate an extremely bright future. For Sri Lanka seek a fast bowling leader in times of transition, this once precocious talent seems to have assumed the mantle with grace. An extended run beckons - one where Fernando could cement his legacy as the next torchbearer of the island’s rich fast bowling lineage.
Conclusion
Asitha Fernando epitomizes the essence of Sri Lanka’s cricketing pedigree - one dotted with stories of precocious small-town talents rising through the ranks to stardom on the global stage. His journey too has followed a similar script. Though hailing from modest beginnings, Fernando’s natural pace and guile were evident from a tender age. And he soon transcended expectations with his unusual action and ability to crank up fiery spells. Now an integral cog in a Lankan lineup seeking reinvention, Fernando has been leaving batters hapless with his skiddy trajectory and controlled aggression. Still only 25, his returns have far outweighed expectations at this nascent stage of his international career. Be it the 2021 Bangladesh series where he claimed a five-for or the 2022 Asia Cup where he outfoxed opponents with subtle variations - Fernando is spearheading the island’s bowling renaissance.