Matheehsa Perera

Matheesha Perera is a First class player re-incarnated from Sri Lanka. Having debuted as a 20 year-old in summer 2011-12, playing five first class matches, he could only muster another five matches over the next five Sri Lankan summers but in 2017-18 he made the most of his outstanding club form and joined Kalutara Town Club for their current campaign. A classy left-handed opener and crafty left-arm orthodox spinner, Matheesha is a genuine all-rounder.

Matheesha has made an instant impact on his return, scoring 270 runs @ 45 and collecting 18 wickets @ 21.33 in just 4 games. He carved out impressive match figures of 122 & 86 to go with 3/54 (24) agaisnst Galle CC in Jan 2018 in the national Premier League tournament.

Matheesha joined Sandyford CC in the North Staffs South Cheshire Division 2 for the 2018 summer for his first UK stint. His first game in the UK in 2018 would remain his only match to go wicketless throughout his first time around, going on to take 72 wickets @ 7.89. He also compiled 701 runs @ 33.38 with 3 x 100’s, all of them coming at much better than a run-a-ball.

He returned to Sandyford CC in the 2019 summer and whilst his first 6-8 weeks were injury riddled following an injury prior to coming, his performance with the ball was still exceptional, picking up 58 wickets @ 11.97 for the club in all competitions. His 331 runs was not up to his personal expectations by his own admission but as he showed in 2018, the ability with bat in hand is there.

Come summer 2021, he joined Shelley CC in the Huddersfield Cricket League Championship. His return was exceptional, scoring 665 runs @ 47.50 and taking 62 wickets @ 8.03 with a best of 6-11.

He returned in 2022 and now resides in the UK permanently, on the same street as his previous club, Sandyford CC, so it made sense to rejoin his former haunt. The summer was solid once again, with 579 runs @ 27.57 and 26 wickets @ 22.81. Whilst he didn’t bag the volume of wickets he’d expect, his previous domination in the league meant the opposition were wise to his exploits and there a strong “see him off” tact that proved effective. 2023 played out much the same way, with 29 wickets @ 18.52 to go with 322 runs.

Now residing in the UK, Matheesa will be classed as local and is looking to join an ambitious but friendly club that require a strike spinner that can also offer the X-factor innings with his aggressive middle order hitting this summer.