Photo Credit: Melbourne Renegades
The Sri Lankan cricket community in Victoria is one of the largest and most passionate in the world.
So it’s no surprise to see them turn up in great numbers for the sixth edition of the Melbourne Renegades Champions League.
The six nation tournament welcomes competitors from Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka with impressive numbers trialling last week.
Dihan Nammuni-Dewage is the Sri Lankan Team Manager and he spoke about the wonderful opportunity for many players to pull on their nations’ shirt.
“A lot of the players who are here missed their chance or had near misses” he said.
“A lot of players moved here, or were born here and loved the Sri Lankan style of cricket so it’s a great opportunity to play in a league like this.”
Sri Lanka are shaping as one of the stronger sides in the Champions League with plenty of quality across all aspects of the game.
“I went through the list and there’s a lot of talent, it will be very hard to pick”
“There are a couple of standouts, some ex Sri Lankan cricketers, some good spinners and a few other first-class cricketers too.”
You have likely heard Dihan if you’ve attended any Sri Lankan match in Australia.
In his spare time he is the Band Leader for the Pappare, best known as the Sri Lankan version of the Barmy and Swarmy Armies!
“We started back in 2002, so nearly 20 years in Melbourne now, we played at one of the boxing day tests in 2012 so we are just waiting for another tour” Dewage added.
“Finchy knows my trumpet too.”
Siva Segram, who moved to Australia in 2012, is one of many talented young Sri Lankan cricketers who tried out for the team this week and he would love nothing more than to wear the colours of his home country when the competition starts on November 21.
“I’ve really loved playing cricket from a young age” he said.
“It would really feel good to represent your country whilst in a different country.”
Click here for more information on the Renegades Champions League
