Potterne is pleased to announce the signing of Sri Lankan all-rounder, Vinodh Perera, as their 2nd XI Professional for the 2020 season.

Perera will join former Bangladesh international Enamul Haque Jnr at the club, who has recently signed as their 1st XI Professional for their WEPL title defence.

A proven domestic all-rounder

Vinodh Perera a genuine all-rounder who, after two productive seasons with Panadura Sports Club, has moved to Kurunegala Youth Sports Club for the 2019/20 Sri Lankan domestic season.

An explosive batter and brisk medium-pacer, Perera excelled for Panadura in both 2017/18 (309 runs at 30.90 / 14 wickets at 33.64) and 2018/19 (294 runs at 32.66 / 13 wickets at 37.46) in first-class cricket.

Perera has found his “home” at Panadura, after stints with Sri Lanka Navy (2010/11), Kurunegala Youth (2011/12), and Bloomfield Cricket and Athletic Club (2016/17), before moving back to Kurunegala this summer.

He vindicated his move to Panadura Sports Club for the 2017/18 season by hitting his maiden first-class century on debut against KTC. Coming in at number 7, the all-rounder struck a brilliant 138 from 163 – an innings littered with boundaries (14) alongside 5 sixes.

The talented all-rounder who has also represented Anuradhapura District in Sri Lanka’s One-Day Competition was a star at Under-23 level, for both Tamil Union and SL Navy, before making his first-class debut in 2010/11, playing a solitary game for SL Navy. He moved to Kurunegala Youth the following season, playing a further 2 domestic matches.

However, he had to wait another 5 years before he returned to first-class cricket, this time for Bloomfield, where he averaged 23 and 47 with bat and ball respectively in 6 first-class outings. He has remedied these under-whelming numbers since, with his two centuries over the past two seasons, the obvious highlights.

Perera impressed for Anston in the Bassetlaw League in both 2018 and 2019.

Outstanding for Anston

Keen to showcase his talent abroad, he did just that during the UK 2018 season. Playing for Anston in the strong Bassetlaw and District League (Championship Division), he excelled, hitting 1,057 runs at 45.96 alongside 54 wickets at 23.52. Perera struck 2 centuries, including a quite sensational 160*, chasing down North Wheatley’s 311 in the final over. With Anston reeling at 172-6, Perera bludgeoned the ball to all parts, sharing a 139-run stand with the number 8 (who contributed 7 runs). The all-rounder returned to Anston last summer and continued to shine, striking 833 runs at 33.32 alongside 52 wickets at 18.48.

Potterne pen Perera

Perera has also impressed off the field. After gaining his UKCC level 2 qualification, Perera has been heavily involved with coaching, at both junior and senior level. He is a keen coach and is looking to pursue a career in this capacity in the future.

Given his success over the past two seasons, West of England Premier League outfit Potterne were swift to sign the talented Sri Lankan for their 2020 season.