Thirimanne fifth Lankan cricketer to join Aussie club

Lahiru Thirimanne

Test opener Lahiru Thirimanne is the latest Sri Lankan cricketer to join Australia’s Mulgrave Cricket Club that plays in Division 3 of Victoria’s Eastern Cricket Association (ECA).

On its official Facebook, Mulgrave CC posted: “Mulgrave Cricket Club are thrilled to announce the signing of current Sri Lankan international, Lahiru Thirimanne during his time off with his family. Lahiru played 42 Tests for Sri Lanka, with three tons and a top score of 155*. He has also played 127 ODIs and 26 T20s. Please join us in welcoming Lahiru to the club!”

Thirimanne is one of the few cricketers who have been left without any cricket since playing his last Test innings for Sri Lanka against Bangladesh in April. He is not part of the white ball team. He is the fifth cricketer from Sri Lanka to join the club for the 2021-22 season.

Earlier, two former Sri Lanka captains joined the club – Tillakaratne Dilshan was appointed as the club’s captain for the upcoming season and Sanath Jayasuriya as the head coach.

Upul Tharanga, another former Sri Lanka captain, and former Sri Lanka fast bowler Anusha Samaranayake are also part of the club – Tharanga as a player and Samaranayake as assistant coach to Jayasuriya.

Mulgrave CC established in 1905 has their first 11 team competing in A Turf and currently hold the record for the most consecutive premierships achieved during the seasons 2002-03 to 2006-07, the highest grade in the ECA. The club is one of the strongest and most successful clubs in the ECA. (ST)