Kaumal Nanayakkara

Kaumal Nanayakkara is a left-arm spinner who seems destined for international cricket, courtesy of his domestic exploits in recent years.

The left-arm orthodox tweaker broke into professional cricket for Panadura Sports Club during the 2017/18 season whilst in his teens, following a stellar schoolboy career. After a handful of matches, he started to produce glimpses of his international potential. He bagged his maiden 5for (5-30) during his brief 2019/20 red ball campaign, in which he took 13 wickets at 13.76.

Unfortunately, COVID struck, but since crickets return, Nanayakkara has been nothing short of sensational on the domestic circuit, following his switch to Sri Lanka Army Sports Club. After dominating the Emerging Three-Day Tournament (2021/22) with 50 wickets at 12.55, he would go on to top the Major League Tournament wicket-charts in 2022/23, taking 68 wickets at 16.86 with 3 10-wicket match hauls. He would be awarded the Bowler of the first-class season.

Nanayakkara has since backed up season tallies of 18 wickets at 17.33 (2023), and 11 wickets at 29.72 (2023/24), and now boasts 137 wickets at 19.15 in first-class cricket with 15 five wicket bags.

The talented tweaker is a star for the future and is now set to showcase his skills in the UK having signed with Fives and Heronians for their 2025 Essex League campaign.