One of the lesser known heroes of 1983 world cup was Ashantha de Mel, Sri Lanka medium pace bowler who picked up 17 wickets in the tournament.
The medium pace bowler came into limelight with his two back to back five-wicket hauls in the tournament. First, at Headingley against Pakistan where he took 5/39 though his team lost the match by 12 runs. In their next match against New Zealand at The County Ground, Derby, Ashantha 5 wicket haul (5/32) was intrumental in Sri Lanka's only victory in the tournament.
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He was the second highest wicket-taker in the tournament with 17 wickets from 6 matches with just 1 behind India's Roger Binny. The bowler hadn't received the recognition which he should be for his brilliant 17 wickets picked at an average of 15.58. One of the prime reason was that Sri Lanka was not been able to qualify for the second round in the tournament and his performance got lost. He was not able to replicate the same magic after the tournament.
Ashantha de Mel in 1983 World Cup
Matches - 6, Wickets - 17, Average - 15.58, Srike rate - 23.2, Economy Rate - 4.01, Best Bowling - 5/32