Perera’s meteoric rise to international cricket
Perera is an explosive batter who bowls off-spin who broke into the Sri Lankan ODI side in March 2019, playing 2 matches against South Africa (0 and 33).
Perera’s meteoric rise through to the national side was based on his domestic exploits and success for Sri Lanka over, over the past few years.
Such was Perera’s talent, he was fast-tracked to play for Sri Lanka A (in August 2014 v Hampshire) before playing a domestic List A game. He had, though, made his first-class and T20 debut’s for Colts Cricket Club towards the previous summer, following 14 matches for Sri Lankan Under-19. He excelled for the Under-19s, particularly in the ICC World Cup in February 2014, finishing as Sri Lanka’s second-leading run-scorer (204 runs at 40.80).
Thereafter, Perera starred in Sri Lanka’s Premier Tournament in 2015/16 hitting 526 runs at 43.83, before season tallies of 410 at 31.53 (2016/17) and 830 at 39.52 (2017/18) to keep him on the national radar.
However, it was his 2018/19 season for Colts that generated his national selection, hitting 1,001 runs at 83.41 with 4 centuries, including a sensational double (206*).
Sri Lanka Premier League Tournament – Tier A Runs 2018/19
Whilst he failed to replicate his numbers last summer (2019/20), scoring 304 runs at 27.63, he remains someone of national interest, who will be seeking a big 2020/21 season to regain selection.
Perera signs for West Herts
The run machine is quite the prospect who was set to embark on his maiden UK stint in 2020 for West Herts Cricket Club. COVID put pay to that, but both parties have deferred the agreement through to the 2021 season.
