A professional cricketer from Colombo, Sri Lanka, has surpassed 1,000 runs just halfway through the 2022 season for Fulwood and Broughton Cricket Club.

Sonal Dinusha arrived at the end of April to play for the men’s First XI team as the overseas professional.

The 21-year-old made his first-class debut for Colombo Cricket Club in the 2018-19 Premier League Tournament. In January 2020, he was named in Sri Lanka’s squad for the 2020 Under-19 Cricket World Cup and made his Twenty20 debut in 2021 for Colombo Cricket Club in the SLC Twenty20 Tournament.

Fulwood and Broughton Cricket Club secured Sonal as its overseas professional through CricX Sports Agency.

Sonal has since become an integral part in the club’s strong performance so far in the Northern Premier League (an ECB premier league). Both batting and bowling, Sonal’s highlights include an admirable performance against Penrith, scoring 135 runs not out.

The left-handed batsman and spin bowler reached the milestone of 1,000 runs after bringing the team back to win against Chorley in the Northern Premier League on Saturday 16 July, making 109 runs, and then batting on Sunday in a cup match against Blackpool.

In addition to two centuries, he has scored seven 50s and is currently averaging at 55.78 runs per game for the club. As an accomplished left-handed spin bowler, he has taken 46 wickets so far this season, with an economy rate of 2.96.

To date, Sonal has played in 14 league matches, two cup games, plus seven T20 matches – a total of 23 matches – to achieve these noteworthy statistics.

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Speaking on the achievement, Prital Lad, Cricket Chair at Fulwood and Broughton, said: “It has been a real pleasure to have Sonal at the club this summer. His performances have been a joy to watch and he has had a positive impact on the team as a whole.

“He is 100 per cent focussed on his cricket as well, which is also a real inspiration to all our players. We really hope Sonal opts to stay with us for next season as well!”

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Sonal said: “It’s great to be part of a local Lancashire team and learn about the game from an English perspective. I am really enjoying the experience, the variety of grounds that I have visited and teams that I have played against, and especially the hot weather which is more in keeping with playing cricket back home.”

Sonal has also achieved an ECB Level Two coaching qualification and is available for one-to-one coaching for cricketers of all ages during the summer holidays.

For further details about coaching contact Fulwood and Broughton Cricket Club by calling 01772 863003.

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