Dilanka Auwardt

Dilanka Auwardt is a prolific left-arm spinner who has dominated at home, in Sri Lanka, and abroad, in the UK, in recent years.

Last summer (2024), he lit up the Liverpool League in what is his maiden UK stint. He topped the League (Div 2) wicket charts with 91 wickets at 10.69.

Such was the Sri Lanka’s dominance, he bagged 5 wicket hauls in 11 of his 20 League matches, all with a strike rate of 24.44, and economy rate of 2.62. He took 47.15% of Ainsdale’s wickets in all cricket last summer. A quite remarkable campaign!

Back in his homeland, Auwardt has been a stand-out performer. He initially hit the headlines in the opening round of Sri Lanka’s Major League (Tier B) Tournament (Jan 2020), by taking 12 wickets against Police Sports Club (7-133 and 5-110).

In his first outing as Sri Lanka Navy’s skipper, Auwardt impressed with his career-best. He continued to shine throughout the summer, finishing amongst the leading Tier B wicket-takers with 34 wickets at 21.70, taking his first-class tally to an impressive 99 wickets at 26.58.

Auwardt’s domestic journey started with Police Sports Club back in 2011/12, but after a solitary season at first-class level, he left the club and joined Navy SC in 2013/14. He enjoyed a barnstorming summer, taking 77 wickets at 16.83 with 10 five-wicket hauls, to include best innings and match figures of 9-41 and 15-153, respectively.

From 2013/14 to 2015/16, Auwardt took 186 wickets at 17.72 with 20 five-wicket innings and 10 ten-wicket match hauls. During this period, Navy SC's fixtures were not deemed "first-class". However, this changed in 2016/17 and the left-arm tweaker went on to capture 15 wickets at 23.

Unfortunately, a bike accident hampered the following season, before an excellent return in 2018/19 (10 wickets at 15.40) and his outstanding 2019/20 summer.

Auwardt is widely regarded as one of the best spinners in Sri Lankan domestic cricket, something he proved in the UK last summer. Given his exploits, it's unsurprising Ainsdale were swift to re-sign their Sri Lankan star for a second stint in 2025.