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I just try to keep it straight: Zoysa
"Everyone in the side is aggressive. My part here is to keep one end tight," the quiet unassuming Sri Lankan fast bowler tells Jaideep Ghosh.
When the Asia Cup began, several permutations were being worked out about who would be the players to watch.
Muttiah Muralitharan was in the headlines for all kinds of reasons. Shoaib Akhtar too was never far from the focus, and the Boys in Blue are reading material, all the while.
Even among the other Sri Lankan players, Sanath Jayasuriya's lack of form was news.
Very few people would turn around and look at Nuwan Zoysa, the quiet unassuming giant of a man, who has played a huge role in the islanders' run of success.
Zoysa had been out in the wilderness for a long time. He last played for Sri Lanka way back in 2002 and then lost his place after some less-than-impressive displays. Dilhara Fernando then became Chaminda Vaas's new ball partner.
Zoysa's return to the fray could not have been better timed. He ran through the Indian top order, and then restricted Pakistan to pick up the man of the match cheque in both games. Suddenly, from a support bowler for Vaas, he had turned into a strike weapon, more so since his senior partner has been struggling with a virus infection.
"Yes, I've been bowling well on this tour," Zoysa says. "I've been bowling well since the Australia's visit here, and my trip of Zimbabwe also was good.
"Moreover, the recent tour of Australia was a great help. I got my rhythm back a few months ago. I want to see how thing go in the final here."
Asked what exactly his role in the team was, Zoysa said. "Everyone in the side is aggressive. My part here is to keep one end tight."
Zoysa had been suffering from the same affliction that hits all fast bowlers some time or the other — straying in line or length. "Line and length is of major consideration in Sri Lanka or sub-continent, since the ball really does not move that much. You give width and you'll get hammered. I'm not a machine but I try to keep it as straight as possible.
"Marvan (Atapattu) is a very good captain, very supportive. It is easy to work with him."
The tour of Australia was a sore test for all the Sri Lankans and Zoysa is no different. "It was tough (Down Under). You have to be spot on there. I tried to swing the ball both ways while maintaining line and length. I had a chat with (Glenn) McGrath. He's phenomenal. That chat has helped me a lot."
