Yorkshire CCC: Ottis Gibson reveals how Vishwa Fernando can swing White Rose into promotion contention

INCOMING: Vishwa Fernando (left) celebrates a wicket for Durham against Leicestershire last season. Picture: Will Matthews/PA

YORKSHIRE first-team coach Ottis Gibson believes new signing Vishwa Fernando could prove to be a difference-maker as the club looks to kick-start its flailing County Championship campaign.

The 32-year-old left-arm pace bowler has been snapped up for three four-day fixtures by Yorkshire, making his debut tomorrow against Northamptonshire at Wantage Road, while also being available for the fixtures against Gloucestershire at Scarborough and Derbyshire at Chesterfield.

It will be his second short-term county stint after he played twice for Durham last season.

After six games, Yorkshire are still to register their first win of the Division Two campaign, one which saw them start out as many peoples’ favourites for promotion but which has so far only heralded two defeats and four draws.

SECOND STINT: Vishwa Fernando celebrates taking the wicket of Leicestershire's Will Davis at The Riverside in September last year. Picture: Will Matthews/PA

And while their hopes of a return to Division One cannot be written off quite yet, positive results need to start arriving soon, something first-team coach Gibson belies Fernando can help them achieve.

In all first-class cricket, he Sri Lankan has captured 299 wickets in 113 games at an average of 29.91.

“Vishwa’s a very good bowler,” said Gibson.

“He’s skiddy, and he’s got good control and swings the ball both ways. Hopefully he’ll come in and do that for us, what Coady does – take wickets with the new ball.

“What he’ll also do is with his left-arm angle, he’ll bring one of our spinners into the game for sure.

“We’re happy to have him, and he might be the difference at Northampton.”

Fernando is relishing making his Yorkshire debut, believing his short spell at Durham towards the tail-end of last season will serve him well.

“I’m really excited to play with Yorkshire,” said Fernando. “It was a good experience (at Durham) for me and my career.

“I got some wickets, and the team did really well in that time. It’s my second time in county cricket, so we’ll see how it goes.

“This is a good competition with a lot of big names involved, so it’s a big thing for me.

“Yorkshire is a big club with a big history, the biggest in county cricket and I’m looking forward to doing my best for the team.”