Matheesha Pathirana: Another Wicket-Shattering Slinger-by Michael Roberts
Source:Thuppahis
The 18-year-old, slinging fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana has burst upon the T20 format in wicket-clattering manner. Not for Sri Lanka – but for the Chennai Super Kings under veteran Dhoni’s captaincy and Stephen Fleming’s oversight; …. and watching him from some other ground as one of the backroom coaching staff for another IPL team was …. guess whom? None other than the original slinger Lasith Malinga.
Working chronologically backwards, take in the detailed statistics of the 20th over bowled by Pathirana for the CSK against Delhi Capitals: three wides, three fours conceded and one wicket to complete a spell which saw him end with figures of 3 wkts for 37 at a expense rate of 9.25 … yes, expensive but also wicket-taking (usually yorkers clattering the stumps).
Skipper Dhoni has pursued a policy of usually deploying Pathirana in the last ten overs and especially in the last few overs. He turned out to be a match-winner in a couple of the recent games (even though there has been a liberal sprinkling of wides in his bowling) Thus far, his figures for the season 2023 read as follows
2023 – 8 – 8 – – 31.2 — 245runs — 13wkts –– 18.85av — 7.82econ — 3/15 0 0
In one of the previous matches against the Mumbai Indians, Pathirana earned the cap of “Man of the Match because of his bowling: his four overs costing only 5 runs and earning him 3 wkts at 3.75.”
The INITIAL INTRODUCTION re PATHIRANA for the PRESENT SEASON in cricinfo runs thus:
“A bowler whose slinging action reminds people of Sri Lankan great Lasith Malinga, Matheesha Pathirana joined the Super Kings’ family in IPL 2022. Pathirana was a part of the Sri Lanka squad in the 2022 U-19 World Cup and picked up seven wickets in four games in the tournament. He has played two IPL matches for the Super Kings (see https://www.chennaisuperkings.com/module/news/html/teamdetail.html?PlayerId=18&PlayerCode=PYC0005235&PlayerName=MATHEESHA%20PATHIRANA).
Pathirana to Kuldeep, no run
Slower ball, full, Kuldeep keeps it out for a 0 not out
Kuldeep Yadav comes out to face one ball
19.5
W
Pathirana to Lalit Yadav, OUT
Finally gets one on target. A slower ball at 130ks, totally flummoxes Lait, and the length ball cannons into the middle of middle stump
Lalit Yadav b Pathirana 12 (5b 3×4 0x6 7m) SR: 240
19.4
4
Pathirana to Lalit Yadav, FOUR runs
Misses the yorker as he follows him, and Lalit manages to get bat on the high full toss for four through backward square leg
19.3
4
Pathirana to Lalit Yadav, FOUR runs
Bouncer, ramped away over backward point for four more
19.2
4
Pathirana to Lalit Yadav, FOUR runs
Short of a length, into the ribs, pulled away off the hip for four through long leg
19.1
1
Pathirana to Aman Hakim Khan, 1 run
Full and straight, struck to long-on for one
19.1
1w
Pathirana to Aman Hakim Khan, 1 wide
Another wide, and Dhoni collects this by his shoe laces
19.1
1w
Pathirana to Aman Hakim Khan, 1 wide
Wide length ball. Too wide. Half-volleys Dhoni. A bit of a painful take for him
