Mark Wood, renowned for his searing pace, played a pivotal role in England’s victorious 2019 World Cup campaign, amassing an impressive tally of 18 wickets.

While injuries have disrupted his ODI journey since 2020, Wood’s recent resurgence in Test cricket, claiming 14 wickets in just three matches, offers a promising glimmer of hope for his return to the 50-over format.

Australia’s sole specialist spinner, Adam Zampa, is set to play a crucial role in the World Cup. With 45 wickets in the 50-over format since 2022, he displayed his prowess during Australia’s ODI series victory over India in March. Despite a challenging outing against South Africa, where he conceded runs, Zampa rebounded impressively, snatching six wickets in his last three matches before the World Cup.

Matheesha Pathirana burst onto the scene with his ODI debut for Sri Lanka in June. The 20-year-old has been impressive, snaring 15 wickets in just ten matches. His unique round-arm action, inspired by Lasith Malinga, but with an even lower release point, has caught the attention of many. Pathirana excelled at the Asia Cup, finishing as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 11 scalps. Additionally, his experience in Indian conditions, where he starred for the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, could be a valuable asset for Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka Adds IPL Sensation Pathirana to Squad for Afghan Series. In a recent development, Sri Lanka has named Matheesha Pathirana, the Indian Premier League champion, in their 16-member ODI squad for the upcoming three-match home series against Afghanistan.

If he makes it into the final playing XI, it will mark the 20-year-old Pathirana’s debut in one-day internationals for Sri Lanka. Known by the moniker “Baby Malinga” due to his slingshot bowling action reminiscent of Sri Lankan legend Lasith Malinga, Pathirana has previously represented his country in two T20 matches.

The series, set to take place on June 2, 4, and 7, will be hosted in Hambantota, located in the southern region of the island. Notably, this venue has not hosted any international matches since February 2020.

Pathirana played a significant role in the Chennai Super Kings’ triumph in the IPL finals, which took place in Ahmedabad on Monday, securing their fifth title win. Displaying his prowess with a devastating yorker, he claimed figures of 2 for 44 in the final and recorded an impressive tally of 19 wickets throughout the tournament. His exceptional performances earned praise from Chennai’s captain, MS Dhoni, who described him as “special.”

The Sri Lanka squad for the series includes:

Dasun Shanaka (captain), Pathum Nissanka, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Charith Asalanka, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Chamika Karunaratne, Dushan Hemantha, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lahiru Kumara, Dushmantha Chameera, Kasun Rajitha, Matheesha Pathirana, Maheesh Theekshana

There is not much similarity in philosophy. Matheesha Pathirana doesn’t have luxuriant hair like Lasith Malinga, his body is still not toned but there are similarities in bowling action, style and performance. He has been known as Malinga’s successor for a long time. Now Mahendra Singh Dhoni wants to see Pathirana match Malinga in another place. Chennai Super Kings captain and Indian legend advised Pathirana not to even think of playing red ball cricket.

Recognized Cricket Although Malinga’s beginnings were with first-class cricket, international cricket also began with his Test cricket. Later in his injury-riddled career, he quit Tests and became a limited-overs specialist. He didn’t play Tests in the last 10 years of his career. Dhoni, the IPL captain of this Lankan pacer asked Pathirana to stay away from red ball cricket to save him from injury.
Pathirana first caught the attention of Sri Lankan school cricket with ‘slinging’ action like Malinga. Later, various videos were spread on social media. After passing through various stages, he moved forward in recognized cricket.

However, he remained unsold in the IPL auction last year. However, after Adam Milne was ruled out with an injury, Chennai Super Kings took him as a replacement.

In the last season of IPL, he played two matches for Chennai and took two wickets. He made his T20 debut for Sri Lanka last August. This time he is playing for Chennai in IPL. The 20-year-old pacer has caught the attention of the current season by bowling brilliantly in the death overs.

For Chennai, he has played 7 matches so far and has taken 10 wickets. He took all these wickets in the last overs (17-20 overs). Despite not playing four matches, he is now the most successful bowler of the tournament in death overs. He bowled just four of his 27.2 overs in the tournament before 12 overs. Despite regular bowling at the end, he gave only 7.60 runs per over.
He showed his best in the match against Mumbai Indians on Saturday. The man of the match took 3 wickets with just 15 runs in 4 overs in career best bowling.

Although a slinging action bowler like Malinga, Pathirana leaves the ball lower than Malinga. Even another Lankan slinging pacer, Nuwan Tushara, leaves the ball lower. The pace is also similar to that of Malinga in his early days. His speed also touched 145 to 150 kmph in the match against Mumbai. Pathirana is very difficult to play with such a low release point and such pace.

This youth has become a terror for his teammates in Chennai as well with action and pace. Chennai’s New Zealand batsman Devon Conway has made it clear that he does not play Pathirana’s ball in the nets. Another batsman Ruturaj Gaikwad said that he played only 10-12 balls of Pathirana in the net in two seasons. Not only the action and speed, but his skills are also good enough. Great Yorker and excellent slower delivery which can swing. All in all there is no less variety. After the match against Mumbai, Chennai captain Dhoni highlighted all these qualities of Pathirana.

“It is always difficult for batsmen to read those whose bowling action is not very traditional. In this version, where the bowlers have to swing the bat, the batsmen’s job becomes more difficult.It’s all about action. Not talking about his pace, but also variety and continuity. All in all he is special. The most important thing is to note how much cricket he is playing.”

In terms of playing matches, Dhoni said that he should be kept away from long cricket. Even in 50-over cricket, three ICC trophy-winning Indian captains want to see this pacer only in ICC tournaments. “Personally, I think he is not someone who should play a lot of red ball cricket. I think he should not go near red ball cricket. Even in white-ball cricket, in 50-over cricket, he should play as little as possible.”

“He should play only in big ICC tournaments (in 50-over cricket) because he is someone who will not change much. He will do what he did in this match (bowling a few overs). So he has to be used at important times.” Dhoni, who is considered one of the best brains in cricket, believes that Pathirana can play for Sri Lanka for a long time if he can handle it and take care of it properly.

“If it can be ensured that he stays fit and is available for ICC tournaments, he can be a great asset for Sri Lanka. Don’t forget, he is still very young.” “When he came last year, he was thinner than he is now. This time the muscles have increased slightly, which means that he has become slightly stronger. I believe he can play for Sri Lanka for a long time. But you have to watch how much bowling he is doing.”