Dilanka Auwardt

Dilanka Auwardt is a prolific left-arm spinner who has dominated both in Sri Lanka and in the UK in recent years. Over the past two UK seasons, he has starred in the Liverpool League for Ainsdale, taking 167 wickets at 10.28, including 21 five-wicket hauls. In 2024, he claimed 91 wickets at 10.69, narrowly missing the league’s top spot (courtesy of bowling 64 less overs), and in 2025 (as of 14 August), he topped the charts with 76 wickets at 9.79. Across these two seasons, he accounted for nearly half of Ainsdale’s wickets, boasting an average of 10.28, an economy of 2.63, and a strike rate of 23.47.

Back home, Auwardt has also been a standout performer. He first caught attention in Sri Lanka’s Major League Tier B Tournament in January 2020, taking 12 wickets in a single match against Police Sports Club. As Sri Lanka Navy’s skipper, he impressed with a career-best performance and finished the season among the leading Tier B wicket-takers with 34 wickets at 21.70, bringing his first-class tally to 105 wickets at 27.51.

Auwardt began his domestic journey with Police Sports Club in 2011/12 before moving to Navy SC in 2013/14. He enjoyed a remarkable run, taking 186 wickets at 17.72 with 20 five-wicket innings and 10 ten-wicket matches from 2013/14 to 2015/16, including best figures of 9-41 and 15-153. Following a brief setback due to a bike accident, he returned strongly in 2018/19 and had an outstanding 2019/20 season. Despite limited first-class opportunities—only nine matches over the past two campaigns—Auwardt has consistently delivered wherever he has played.

Now eager for a third UK stint in 2026, Dilanka Auwardt remains arguably the finest left-arm spinner available on the market.