Tharusha Fernando

Tharusha Fernando is a talented youngster from Moratuwa, south of Colombo. A hard-hitting, right-handed middle order Batsman, Tharusha is also a better than handy Leg-Spinner that has been effective without being prolific, ball-in-hand at First Class level. He made his Professional debut for Panadura SC in 2019 but switched to SL Navy SC for the 2019-20 summer. Tharusha was schooled at the renowned St Sebastian’s College, Moratuwa.

A real junior star, his performances for the college were outstanding, with a best of 200 vs DS Senanayake College, he piled on 1974 runs @ 37.96 for the school 1st XI in 41 games. Not content with taking opposition school attacks apart, his leg-spin was equally destructive, bagging 75 wickets @ 22.21 in the same time period.

Whilst he has appeared 26 times at the highest level in Sri Lanka, his professional career is certainly still in its infancy, averaging a tick under 20 with the bat and just over 40 with the ball. It’s easy to forget he is just 21. However, good form in the recent national U23 league for Sebastianites CAC, 170 runs @ 42.50 & 14 wickets @ 11.93, should see him slot back into the First Class side and hopefully carry that form with him.

Tharusha has three seasons of UK experience behind him, a 2018 stint with Northwich CC in Cheshire, scoring 719 runs @ 34.24 & collecting 44 wickets @ 19.84, a solid return that saw him come from nowhere to make his First Class debut the following summer. In summer 2021, he linked with South Shields CC in Durham and was dominant, compiling 800+ runs and 50+ wickets that saw the club push all the way for promotion but fall agonisingly short. He return in 2022, scoring 728 runs and bagging 38 wickets in another good return. He joined the club for a 3rd season in 2023, picking up 474 runs & 22 wickets.

Seeking a return to the UK, Tharusha will be a great pick up for any UK club seeking a genuine all-rounder that can provide a real x-factor, particularly with the ball in hand next summer.