4 interesting facts about Jeffrey Vandersay, the Sri Lankan spinner who took 6-33 in 2nd ODI vs India
Jeffrey Vandersay turned out to be the wrecker-in-chief as Sri Lanka secured a clinical victory by 32 runs against India in the second ODI on Sunday (August 4) in Colombo. He finished with terrific figures of 6-33 as he became the first spinner to take out the first six opposition batters in an innings.
The home team batted first and managed a competitive total of 240. The likes of Avishka Fernando (40), Kamindu Mendis (40) and Dunith Wellalage (39) were the major contributors. For India, Washington Sundar impressed with three scalps, while Kuldeep Yadav grabbed two.
India got off to a sublime start with a 97-run stand between Rohit Sharma (64) and Shubman Gill (35). However, Vandersay dismissed both batters and triggered a batting collapse.
Finding optimum purchase from the surface, the right-arm spinner ran through the visitors' middle order and picked six wickets in his first seven overs. Skipper Charith Asalanka picked up the other three wickets as India were bundled out for 208.
Overall, Jeffrey Vandersay has played 38 international games, with the most (23) coming in ODIs, and has scalped 42 wickets. Let's take a look at a few interesting facts about the Sri Lankan spinner.
#1 Conceded 34 off two overs on his debut ODI
Jeffrey Vandersay made his ODI debut in December 2015 against New Zealand in Christchurch. Batting first, the visitors were bundled out for a paltry 117, with Matt Henry taking a four-fer.
Interestingly, Kiwi opener Martin Guptill went all guns blazing with his attacking strokeplay, while Tom Latham played a second fiddle. Coming to bowl in the fifth over, Vandersay was smashed for three sixes and two fours in his first over by Guptill.
In the next over, he conceded another six and finished the game with figures of 0-34 off two overs.
The home team under nine overs, with Guptill smacking 93* off 30, while Latham scored 17* off 20.
#2 Received a Test call-up in 2017, made his debut in 2022
Vandersay received his maiden call-up to the Test squad during Sri Lanka's tour to India in 2017. He replaced Rangana Herath, who complained of a sore back and skipped the final test. However, with the presence of Dilruwan Perera and Lakshan Sandakan, he didn't feature in the game.
In May 2018, he received a national contract by Sri Lanka Cricket but didn't make his debut in the longest format. The February 2022 series against India also saw him warming the bench.
However, in June 2022 at Galle, the right-arm spinner finally made his Test debut against Australia. He finished with two scalps at an expensive economy of 6.8 as Australia won by 10 wickets. Since then, he hasn't featured in a red-ball game for the national team.
#3 He was suspended for a year by the SLC
In July 2018, Jeffrey Vandersay was handed a one-year suspension and fined 20% of his annual contract fee by Sri Lanka Cricket.
It happened due to his night-out during the West Indies tour in St. Lucia as he failed to report back to the team hotel on time. Although, his companions returned to the hotel on time, the spinner missed the deadline and was sent back to Sri Lanka midway through the series.
Here's what Vandersay posted on X about the incident at that time:
Notably, he was also warned by the team management over his conduct before this incident.
#4 He had a medicore 2016 T20 WC, only played one game in 2019 ODI WC
Jeffrey Vandersay featured in three games in the 2016 T20 World Cup but secured three wickets at an economy of 5.16. Although, he returned as the joint-highest wicket-taker for the team, the Islanders only won one of four games.
The 2019 ODI World Cup saw him play a solitary game against the West Indies in Chester-le-Street, where he finished with expensive figures of 1-50 off seven overs.