Sri Lanka’s loss is Westmeadows Cricket Club’s gain for the upcoming Victorian Turf Cricket season.
After Chanaka Weledegara was told he would not be selected in Sri Lanka’s national cricket team, the fast bowler decided to move to Australia.
“I gained permanent residency six months ago,” he told
Star Weekly last week. “Sri Lanka selectors told me they weren’t going to pick me so I decided to move out here.”
As luck would have it, a friend of Westmeadows coach Danny Law saw Weledegara playing and asked if he wanted to join the club.
“I spoke to people and it seemed like a nice club,” said Weledegara, 34, who played 21 Tests for Sri Lanka.
What the Warriors didn’t know is that Weledegara already had a connection with the club … last season’s champion, Sathpath Kamburugamuwa, is a good friend.
“Sath and I talked and he told me they had nice people and nice schools and it was a good place to play.”
Sri Lankan cricket officials later offered Weledegara a chance to train with the Sri Lanka A-team. But the decision to move to Australia had been made and he joined Westmeadows at the start of pre-season two weeks ago.
“I always enjoy cricket and there’s not as much pressure on me here,” Weledegara said. “I want to get at least 50 wickets for the season.
“We have seniors and juniors training together here. It’s really good to see. In Sri Lanka it’s only seniors.”
The Warriors are hoping to use Weledegara’s knowledge to help with junior development.
“It someone comes up for help, I’m happy to help them,” he said.
Vice-president Jeff Hubbard said he hoped Weledegara and Kamburugamuwa would form a formidable bowling duo.
The Warriors will play in North A1 after relegation from the North division last season.
Hubbard said he expected a big season from coach Law, who was in the best shape of his career after an off-season fitness campaign.
Three Northern Wizards representatives from last season have left Westmeadows to further progress their career. Ryan Blair, Clayton Campbell and Aaron Evans have all joined premier cricket side Greenvale.
The club is looking at developing several youth players to fill their spots in the First XI.
