Gayan Sirisoma

Gayan Sirisoma is a veteran left-arm spinner who has lorded Sri Lankan domestic cricket for nearly two decades. He is currently the fifth leading wicket-taker in Sri Lankan first-class cricket.

Since his first-class debut in 2002/03, Sirisoma has taken 753 wickets at 19.23 in 137 matches, not to mention 157 wickets at 20.68 in white-ball cricket. He has taken 69 five-wicket bags and 25 ten-wicket match hauls.

He has starred for numerous provincial sides and over the past decade he has dominated for Lankan Cricket Club (2006/07-2011/12 – 148 wickets at 16.95), Panadura Sports Club (2012/13-2016/17 – 202 wickets at 15.85), Galle Cricket Club (2015/16-2017/18 – 101 wickets at 21.73), Bloomfield Cricket and Athletic Club (2018/19-2019/20 - 64 wickets at 14.03), and Sri Lankan Air Force (2022/23 - 61 wickets at 20.24).

He has taken 50 plus wickets in 8 seasons (40 plus in another 2), topped the first-class wicket charts in 2006/07 (60 wickets at 15.50), 2016/17 (91 wickets at 12.28), 2017/18 (55 wickets at 18.61), 2019/20 (64 wickets at 14.03), and finished runner-up in 2012/13 (58 wickets at 15.27) and 2013/14 (53 wickets at 22.62). Proving age is just a number, Sirisoma took 38 wickets at 16.84 in 2018/19 with 3 five-wicket hauls, a chart-topping 2019/20 season (64 wickets at 14.03), and finished fourth top in 2022/23 (61 wickets at 20.24).

Whilst the domestic legend hasn’t featured for Sri Lanka, mainly due to the likes of Murali and Herath, he has excelled abroad during three UK league stints. He starred for Eppleton (2007 - Durham Senior League), East Molesey (2014 – Surrey Championship), and Hornchurch (2019 - Essex Premier League). The highlights - topping the Championship Division 1 wicket-charts for Molesey (52 wickets at 12.25) and 62 wickets at 14.56 in league/cup cricket for Hornchurch in 2019.

The experienced campaigner, who is also an enthusiastic, UKCC level 2 coach, is currently playing in Australia for Strathmore Cricket Club (VSDCA) and following this season is keen to embark on his fourth UK stint in 2024. He is someone we wholeheartedly recommend.