Ainsdale has moved swiftly to replace their original pro with Sri Lankan spinner Dilanka Auwardt for their 2024 Liverpool League campaign.
Auwardt is a prolific left-arm spinner who 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’s Tier B competition and is now set to head abroad in 2024 having signed with Ainsdale for their Liverpool League campaign.
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