Philadelphia is delighted to announce the return of Sri Lankan all-rounder, Nimesh Vimukthi, for their 2021 North East Premier League campaign.

A stand-out all-rounder

Vimukthi is an exceptional all-round prospect playing for Chilaw Marians Cricket Club in Sri Lanka’s top tier domestic competitions.

He joined the Tier A club in 2018/19, following his debut season with Panadura in 2016/17 (83 runs at 20.75 and 12 wickets at 38.33), and a prolific 2017/18 summer with Police Sports Club (288 runs at 24 and 50 wickets at 19.60).

The left-arm tweaker joined Chilaw in 2018/19, after finishing as Tier B’s third-leading wicket-taker the prior summer. He made an immediate impact, striking his maiden first-class century (120) amongst a first-class tally of 543 runs at 36.20 alongside 31 wickets at 25.61.

Vimukthi was in the wickets, once again, last summer, taking 44 wickets at 21.02 to finish inside the top half dozen wicket-takers in Tier A cricket.

From prodigy to pro

A schoolboy prodigy, Vimukthi excelled through the age-groups, particularly at Under-19 level. In the U19 2-Day competition, he scored 870 runs at 32.22 with a highest score of 132 alongside an incredible 77 wickets at 11.71 (nine 5-wicket hauls).

He has clearly converted his promise as a junior to performance at senior level and has now pushed his name into the hat for international consideration.

Nimesh scores a ton during his last UK stint.

Overseas success

Vimukthi has impressed at every level to date and has also done so abroad too, during his two stints in 2018 and 2019.

During the former, in a struggling Bishop Auckland side, Vimukthi captured 55 wickets at 11.71, alongside 677 runs at 29.43 in the North Yorkshire and South Durham League and Cup competitions. The club subsequently re-signed him, but unfortunately, due to relegation, the contract became null and void.

The lucky recipients were Philadelphia who swooped in for the Sri Lankan star for their 2019 Durham Cricket League campaign.

Vimukthi was sensational, once again, helping the side to promotion courtesy of 886 runs at 32.81 and 72 wickets at 10.54 in all cricket for the club.

Nimi returns to Phili

For the 2020 season, Vimukthi was set to return to the NYSD, this time to play for the powerhouse Richmondshire CC. Unfortunately, a certain pandemic put pay to this.

Nevertheless, given his success in 2019, Philadelphia was quick to re-sign their Sri Lankan star for their 2021 North East Premier League campaign.