Destroyer Dilhara working on a new delivery

Destroyer of the Bangladesh first innings fast bowler Dilhara Fernando said that he was near to his best bowling form after being sidelined through injuries in the past two years.

The 26-year-old right-arm fast bowler took five for 60 in the first innings to dismiss Bangladesh for 191 and when they followed on 266 runs behind, snapped up two further wickets to have them struggling at 131-4 by the end of the second day of the second cricket

Test at the Saravanamuttu Stadium yesterday. Fernando overcame his injury problems with the help of coach Tom Moody whom he said had a hand in making adjustments to his run up and bowling action so that there was no strain on his back or knee.

It was injuries in these two areas that saw him miss out on a permanent place in the national team. "I worked with Tom for three months and with my new run up and adjustment I feel very comfortable. There is less strain on my back," said Fernando. "I have still not got my rhythm perfect. I think once I get that right I can bowl better than I am doing right now." Fernando said that he was surprised by the bounce the pitch offered on the second day of the Test.

"On this kind of wicket you don't have to exert yourself too much bowling the short ball. If you hit the deck the ball bounces steeply. On other wickets you don't get that kind of response. You have to put in more effort," said Fernando.

He said the wicket would offer bounce in the first half an hour of the morning tomorrow, but would then settle down into a good batting track.

Fernando who disguises a clever slow ball to take wickets said that he was currently working on a new delivery.

"I am working on a slow bouncer which I believe is going to be very effective especially in the one-day game at the death. I bowled it once today and it went over the wicket-keeper's head for four byes," he said. - (S.T.)