Who is Jeffrey Vandersay
Jeffrey Vandersay is a talented Sri Lankan cricketer, renowned for his leg-spin bowling. Born on February 5, 1990, in Wattala, Sri Lanka, Vandersay has been a key figure in the country’s cricketing landscape. He made his ODI debut in December 2015, showcasing his potential as a skillful bowler. Despite facing challenges in securing a permanent spot in the national team, Vandersay has delivered impressive performances whenever given the opportunity.
His ability to generate sharp turn and deceive batsmen with his flight and variations makes him a formidable opponent. Vandersay’s persistence and dedication to the sport have been evident throughout his career. One of his most notable performances came in an ODI against India, where he took 6-33, playing a crucial role in securing a memorable victory for Sri Lanka.
Magical Spell by Jeffrey Vandersay
Jeffrey Vandersay was called up to Sri Lanka’s ODI squad just before the second ODI against India, stepping in for Wanindu Hasaranga, who was sidelined with a hamstring injury. Vandersay made an immediate impact on Sunday, delivering a remarkable 6-33 that disrupted India’s chase and secured a memorable 32-run victory for Sri Lanka.
“There was assistance on the wicket, so I focused on hitting the good areas and sticking to the basics. This was my first game in a while, so it was crucial to bowl in the right spots. Once I got the first wicket, my confidence grew. I kept hitting the right areas and, with God’s grace, managed to take six wickets,” Vandersay reflected upon receiving the Player of the Match award.
Since his debut in December 2015, Vandersay has played 22 ODIs, often finding himself in and out of the team. But in Sunday’s match, he emerged as the hero, claiming the wickets of Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Shivam Dube, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and KL Rahul in just 29 balls. This performance earned him the seventh-best figures by a Sri Lankan bowler in ODIs, and helped Sri Lanka take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
“There was a lot of pressure coming into the side after a layoff. I had to deliver. While it’s easy to take credit for such a spell, I must acknowledge our batters for setting a competitive total. Wanindu Hasaranga is our top spinner, but I had to understand the team dynamics and balance. It’s tough, but I have to keep motivating myself,” Vandersay added.
Captain Charith Asalanka, who also took three key wickets, expressed his joy for Vandersay. “I was very pleased with the score we set on this track. I thought 240 was sufficient. As a captain, having these selection challenges post-Vandersay’s performance is a good problem to have. His spell was incredible. When he started bowling, India was scoring over 9 runs an over. Although I am mainly a batsman, I also contributed with a few overs.”
Ambidextrous spin-bowling all-rounder Kamindu Mendis, who replaced fast-bowler Mohamed Shiraz, top-scored with 40 runs and shared a crucial 72-run partnership with Dunith Wellalage, rescuing Sri Lanka from a precarious position. He praised his team’s all-round performance.
“It was a great match. The team excelled in all three departments. The fielding energy was remarkable, and the skipper made excellent decisions. Midway through the innings, I thought 210-215 would be a good score, but reaching 240 was fantastic. I have been working hard on my fielding, and taking those half-chances is crucial. After the T20Is, we regrouped and planned meticulously, and we executed those plans brilliantly,” Mendis commented.
Published by: Cricket Khabhar
Published on: Aug 5, 2024