Nuwan Kulasekara Announces Retirement from Cricket: Here’s a Look at Some of His Best Bowling Performances

Nuwan Kulasekara announced his retirement from international cricket bringing curtains down to a 16-year long career that started with the ODI debut against England in 2003. Kulasekara was an instrumental part of Sri Lanka’s 2014 T20 World Cup triumph and also was heavily involved in Sri Lanka’s run to the 2011 World Cup final which they lost to India. The 37-year-old pacer slowly rose to prominence despite lack of pace and became one of Sri Lanka’s main strike bowlers by 2008. From April 2008 to early 2009, Kulasekara took 47 wickets and was the top-ranked ODI bowler in the ICC rankings. Nuwan Kulasekara Retires from International Cricket: Sri Lanka Cricket Dedicates Final Bangladesh ODI Game to Outgoing Pacer.

He fizzled out during the latter stages of his career and last represented Sri Lanka in an international game on July 2017 but Nuwan Kulasekara was still among Sri Lanka’s best bowler during his prime and put several top-notch performances for his team. From running through Australia’s middle order for his best figures of 5/22 to dismantling India’s best batsman in 2008, take a look at some of the best performances from Nuwan Kulasekara. Lasith Malinga After Retirement: Lanka Legend Asks Young Bowlers to Become Match-Winners.

5/22 (Australia vs Sri Lanka, Brisbane), 3RD ODI, January 2013

Kulasekara was unplayable that match. His fearsome spell doomed Australia to one of their lowest ODI scores ever. Kulasekara’s inswing bowling was a definition of the bowler he was or one he had the potential to be. Four the first five wickets that fell at Brisbane that afternoon belonged to the 37-year-old. His first three wickets came in seven deliveries, the next two in the space of three deliveries. And all Sri Lanks’s leading bowler Lasith Malinga was left to do was clean-up the tail.

Australia bundled for 74 in 26.4 overs. Kulasekara finished with figures of 5/22 in overs with 2 maidens and an economy of 2.20. He bowled fifty dot balls against Australia in that match and 5/22 remained his best ODI figures after 184 matches and 199 wickets.

4/40 (Sri Lanka vs India, Colombo) 5TH  ODI, August 2008

Kulasekara was in his prime then. He was soon going to be the top-ranked ICC ODI bowler in the rankings but Sri Lanka had already lost the five-match ODI series 3-1. Teams came out in Colombo for the final game and Kulasekara finally arrived. It was the beginning of his best spell as a seam bowler.

From Virat Kohli to Rohit Sharma or Gautam Gambhir, none could stand before Kulasekara’s searing in-swingers. Kulasekara finished with 4/40 in 9 overs with two maidens. His scalps included India’s great top-order and again four of the first five wickets that fell came to Kulasekara.

3/4 (New Zealand vs Sri Lanka, Lauderhill) 2ND T20, May 2010

Not his best T20 bowling figures but one of the best figures ever recorded in T20 cricket. To take three wickets for just four runs from 3 overs is insane and Kulasekara did it one over. His first wicket in his opening delivery of the over and he added two more with his fifth and final delivery.

Aaron Redmond, Brendon McCullum and Rob Nicol were the men to depart. Kulasekara’s exploits meant New Zealand bundled for just 81 runs and Sri Lanka chased it down in 15.3 overs and with seven wickets in hand.

3/17 (Sri Lanka vs Pakistan, Lahore) January 2009

Sri Lanka travelled to Pakistan and clinched a three-match ODI series 2-1 with Kulasekara taking 3/17 in the deciding game. Tillakaratne Dilshan’s century helped Sri Lanka post 309 runs on board. In reply, Pakistan bundled for 75 runs with Kulasekara once again running through their top-order. He first removed Salman Butt for a first-ball duck before dismissing Khurram Manzoor to leave Pakistan trailing on 4/17. Kulasekara remained later to clean bowl Shahid Afridi for another and hand Sri Lanka a gigantic victory as well as the series. He gave just 17 runs in 7 overs and finished with 3 wickets.

The just-retired international bowler was renowned for maintaining a tight line and length and could seam the ball both ways. Kulasekara announced his decision to retire from international cricket mid-way through the series between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. He, however, is not part of the Sri Lanka squad for the Bangladesh series.

Sri Lanka cricket on Monday dedicated its third and final ODI game against Bangladesh to Kulasekara. “Nuwan Kulasekara has been a vital cog in the Lankan line-up and played exceptional cricket during his time with the national team. His contributions made on the field brought in a lot of success for the national team. I wish him the best going forward,” said Shammi Silva, President of the SLC.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 30, 2019 02:15 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).