Eranga Rathnayake

Eranga Rathnayake is an accomplished first-class all-rounder playing for Galle Cricket Club in Tier B of Sri Lanka’s Premier Tournament.

A top-order batter / off-spinner, Rathnayake has achieved the 2,500 run / 100 wicket double in domestic cricket since his debut for Saracens Sports Club in February 2012.

Hailing from the prestigious St. Benedict’s College, with whom he skippered, excelled, and enjoyed a record-breaking 1st XI career, Rathnayake broke into first-class cricket courtesy of his exploits for Ragama Under-23’2 (2011/12, 2012/13). He was picked and toured to India, with the Sri Lankan Development Squad in 2012. He has since represented Ragama, Saracens, Kalutara Town, and most recently Galle at the domestic level.

He has excelled at first-class level in recent seasons. In 2017/18, he struck 2 centuries amongst 486 runs at 60.75 alongside 11 wickets at 25.63. The following season, he added another century en route to 278 runs at 30.88 and 13 wickets at 30.46. In 2019/20, whilst not as prolific with the bat (321 runs at 22.92), he starred with the ball, taking his second 5-wicket bag amongst 22 poles at 25.09.

Rathnayake has also enjoyed six successful seasons plying his trade in England. In 2015 and 2016 combined, he scored 1,299 runs at 51.96 (3x100s, 9x50s) and took 36 wickets at 26.47 (2x5w) for Pagham in Division 2 of the Sussex Premier Cricket League. He topped the league run charts during his first stint, then finished third on the ladder on his return in 2016.

Over the past four full seasons (2017-21), he excelled in the North Staffs and South Cheshire League - initially 3-seasons for Woore CC (2,236 runs at 42.19 and taken 122 wickets at 16.87), before another productive season for Little Stoke in 2021 (894 runs at 38.87 and 26 wickets at 26.38).

Given his success in league cricket, Rathnayake has become a sought-after acquisition. He has now decided to pursue yet another UK stint for the 2022 season and is someone we strongly recommend.