17 Facts about Dushmantha Chameera - Young Promising Sri Lankan Pacer

The likes of Chaminda Vaas and Lasith Malinga have shouldered the responsibility of being the baton carriers of Sri Lankan fast bowling for the last couple of decades. When Vaas retired in 2007, Sri Lankan had the assured with another pacer, Malinga, already in the ranks and with enough ability to take over the reins from Vaas. But then the questions were being asked about ‘what next’ after Malinga? Or who could be the ideal support to Malinga in the pace department. Several youngsters came in but none could make a mark as good as Dushmantha Chameera has been able to in such a short duration of time. Ever since he made his ODI debut, he is being tipped to be the fastest bowler that Sri Lankan has ever produced. The 23-year-old is certainly a bright prospect for Sri Lankan cricket. Here are some amazing facts about Dushmantha Chameera.

1. Birth & early life:

Pathira Vasan Dushmantha Chameera, commonly known as Dushmantha Chameera, was born on 11 January 1992 at Ragama in Sri Lanka. His love for cricket was seen since his childhood. He started playing professional cricket at the early age of 11 years. Nobody from his family followed cricket, so one can definitely state that the art of cricket came to him naturally.

2. Nickname:

Chameera is popularly known as Chamee in the dressing room.

3. Basic schooling and cricket:

He is a product of Harischandra Vidyalaya, Negombo. After appearing for his O-level exams, he moved to Maris Stella College Negombo, a school that produced former Sri Lanka fast bowler Graeme Labrooy.

4. Role model:

Chameera, since his childhood, followed the former Australian speedster, Brett Lee. He idolizes the veteran Australian and it was Lee’ heroics on the cricket field that inspired him to pick pace bowling as a career. “From my small days I wanted to be a fast bowler,” Chameera was quoted. “Brett Lee is my hero and I have been following him very closely,”

5. Stint with the NCC:

In the year 2012, he moved to the Nondescripts Cricket Club (NCC) to hone his bowling skills. He made his mark at the domestic club of NCC and was soon recognized as the brightest prospect for the future by the coaches of NCC. His slightly round arm action made him skid through as he bowled at speeds close to 140 kmph on a consistent basis. He was soon tipped to be the fastest bowler in Sri Lanka.

6. Remarkable domestic season in 2014:

In NCC’s 2014 domestic season, Chameera was a highlight of the season as he claimed 32 first-class wickets at an average of 21.18.

7. Quick progress in domestic circle:

Owing to his good performances in the domestic season, he was soon picked up in the Sri Lanka Development squad. He made quick strides to be named in the Sri Lanka A team and subsequently in the senior team as well.

8. Bowling style:

Tall, slim and slippery, Dushmantha Chameera generates pace from slightly round-arm action that sacrifices movement. He can clock speeds in the proximity of 140 kmph and is a tricky bowler to get past.

9. Variations:

For adding variations to his bowling Chameera bowls off-cutter and the leg-cutter, and also uses the yorker and the slower bouncer to perfection.

10. Trained under experienced professionals:

As he took giant strides in the domestic circle, Chameera was guided by professional and experienced coaches all the way. He has had the privilege of working with the two most renowned fast bowling coaches in Sri Lanka – Champaka Ramanayake and Anusha Samaranayake. He is currently training under the former Sri Lankan legend Chaminda Vaas.

11. National call-up:

Chameera was picked up for the Test series in New Zealand in late 2014. He put up impressive performances in the tour games but could not get a chance to make his Test debut. However, he found his place in the ODI squads too. In the 7 match ODI series, Chameera finally got his chance to play in the last ODI of the series.

12. Impressive debut:

In the 7th ODI of the 7 match series prior to the ICC World Cup 2015, on January 29, Dushmantha Chameera made his international debut. He took his first international wicket in his first over when he bowled Ross Taylor, and he also dismissed Grant Elliott in the match. The ball that got him the wicket of Ross Taylor was a ball clocked at 146 kmph and rattled Taylor’s stumps. He was expensive as his figures read 2/60 in 8 overs but was impressive for the fact that he bowled quick.

13. World cup call:

Chameera retained his place in the national side and was in the Sri Lankan squad for the ICC World Cup 2015. While he didn’t feature in the initial games for the team, he made his World Cup debut during Sri Lanka’s last pool match against Scotland, where he took 3 wickets for 51 runs. Sri Lanka went on to win the match. “The pitches here give a lot of assistance to the fast bowlers and I am happy that I got a chance to play on a pitch of that type,” he said after the match.

14. Test debut:

He made his Test debut against Pakistan in June 2015. He became the 129th Test player for Sri Lanka. He took his first Test wicket when he bowled Zulfiqar Babar for 5 runs. In the second innings of the same match he guided Sri Lanka to the win by taking three wickets finishing with figures of 4/76 in 28.5 overs in both innings.

15. Memorable Test outing:

Playing in his 4th Test match, Chameera picked up his first five-wicket haul against the Kiwis at Hamilton in December 2015. He picked up 5/47 in 13 overs to help Sri Lanka dismiss New Zealand for 237 in the first innings after being bowled out for 292. He followed it up with 4/68 in the 2nd innings but in vain as New Zealand chased down the target with 5 wickets in hand. On the personal front, it was the best performance he has put up in his short career so far.

16. A record to his name:

His match figures of 9/115 in the 2nd Test against New Zealand is now the second best bowling figures for a Sri Lankan seamer. Vaas, the best had picked up 5/47 and 5/43 in the Napier Test in 1995.

17. Major caps:

The major teams that Chameera has represented so far in his career are Sri Lanka, Nagenahira Nagas, Nondescripts Cricket Club, Sri Lanka A, Sri Lanka Board President’s XI, Yaal Blazers.