After The England Tour, I Worked On My Batting And That Has Helped: Avishka Fernando

Sri Lanka opener Avishka Fernando did just enough in the third ODI against India in Colombo as the hosts secured a victory by three wickets. Avishka Fernando scored his second fifty of the series; however, on this occasion, he went the distance to bat more responsibly. The right-handed batsman lauded the young men in his team and hopes for them to do well moving forward.

Sri Lanka did exceptionally well to restrict India to 225 after losing the toss for the first time in the three-match series. India, who started breezily, looked on track for over 300 until rain halted their progress. India restarted at 147-3 from 23 overs and had 24 more to bat. However, their downfall started from the second over after the rain-induced break. Akila Dananjaya and Praveen Jayawickrama took three wickets each, spinning a web around India’s middle-order.

Avishka Fernando was the aggressor in the 35-run opening stand between Minod Bhanuka. After the latter’s departure, Fernando added 109 with Bhanuka Rajapaksa, making the run-chase look like a cakewalk. But India kept chipping away as leggie Rahul Chahar recovered from a slightly expensive first six overs to take three wickets. Chahar’s three wickets also included Avishka Fernando’s scalp, perishing for 76 off 98 balls, with four fours and a six. But the hosts kept their nerve in the end to seak home.

We have a very young side and going forward I believe we will do well: Avishka Fernando

Avishka Fernando rued not doing well in the second ODI that could’ve given Sri Lanka the series. However, the 23-year old was happy to get the man of the match award today and revealed working on his batting after the England tour. Fernando also hopes for their young side to prosper as time goes.

“If we had done well in the second match, we would have won the series. I am very happy for the Player-of-the-Match award today though. After the England tour, I worked on my batting and that has helped. We have a very young side and going forward I believe we will do well,” Fernando told in the post-match presentation.

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