Cricket is still months away, but Westmeadows appears to have pulled off the recruiting coup of next season.
The Victorian Turf club has signed Sri Lankan international Chanaka Welegedara for the 2015-16 season.
Welegedara, 34, has played 21 Test matches for Sri Lanka, the most recent in August last year.
A left-arm fast-medium bowler, he has taken 55 Test wickets at an average of just over 41.
He also played 10 one-day internationals and last month equalled the world record for the most economical four-over T20 spell – 2-2 – while playing for Tamil Union.
Westmeadows will play in the A1 competition this season, after finishing 11th in north division and being relegated.
Club president Paul Lloyd said signing Welegedara was a massive boost for the club.
“We identified that we needed an extra bowler and we went out and got one and we’re fortunate to get one as good as this,” he said.
“It’s something we’ve been working on for a while and it has finally come through. It will give us a bit of momentum.”
Welegedara, whose international career is over, will move to Australia once he has finished playing T20 competition in Sri Lanka.
Lloyd said the signing came about through contacts within the club.
“We’ve got a few contacts and some good networks which have been established,” he said.
“Chanaka has managed to get Australian permanent residency and was looking for opportunities to play locally. We’re fortunate he came to us.
“It’s great for the club and the area.”
Welegedara’s arrival at the club will help with the development of younger players.
“He’ll help coach and teach the boys,” Lloyd said. “He’ll work well with Danny [Law, the senior coach] and we’ve appointed Michael Butera to look after junior development. Chanaka will add the icing on the cake.”
As for the season ahead, Lloyd said the club was looking to redeem itself after a disappointing year.
“We’re embarrassed and disappointed and we want to win as many games as possible to bounce back up,” he said.
“We’ve maintained most of our playing list and we hope we aren’t in A1 for long.”
Tara Murray
