Fast bowlers lose rhythm during long breaks - de Mel

By Bipin Dani

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) chief selector Ashantha de Mel was not surprised with the joint decision of SLC and Cricket South Africa to postpone the forthcoming series of three ODIs and three T-20Is. 

“In the current COVID-19 situation it is the right decision and nothing can be done on that,” he said. 

“Now our focus would be to play against India in July and the Asia Cup thereafter. If these matches are played only then the players would get a chance to show their performance and make the selectors’ task easier for the T20 World Cup,” he said. 

The chief selector did not wish to comment on Lasith Malinga’s captaincy. 

However, he said, “It is not good for the fast bowlers if they lose rhythm due to such a long break. It takes time for any fast bowler to build up this rhythm,” de Mel, who himself was a fast bowler, added.