Sadeera Samarawickrama

Sadeera Smarawickrama:

Sadeera Samarawickrama, a dynamic cricketer from Sri Lanka, showcases his skills as a lively wicketkeeper-batsman in Test matches, contributing from the middle order. When it comes to limited-overs cricket, he consistently propels his teams with quick starts as an opener, setting the stage for exciting matches. Samarawickrama proudly represents his nation across all formats of the game, showcasing his talent and dedication on the international stage.

History:

Samarawickrama was born on 30th August 1995 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. He is known for his right-handed batting style, he plays a crucial role as a wicketkeeper-batter. Samarawickrama started playing cricket at Thurstan College in Colombo, where he first learned and grew his love for the sport. In his later school years, he moved to St. Joseph’s College, continuing to enhance his cricketing skills. This period played a crucial role in shaping his abilities and setting the stage for his successful career in the world of cricket.

Sadeera Samarawickrama proudly represented Sri Lanka on the international cricket stage since 2017. He made his Test debut against Pakistan on October 6, 2017, donning cap number 143. His ODI journey began on October 20, 2017 (cap 185) against Pakistan, with the latest match played on January 11, 2024, against Zimbabwe. 

Wearing the ODI shirt number 23, Samarawickrama brings his skills to the T20I format, debuting on October 26, 2017 (cap 72), and the latest match was on January 18, 2024, against Zimbabwe. His cricketing journey showcases his consistent presence and contributions in various formats for Sri Lanka.

Teams:

Starting his cricket journey at Thurstan College in Colombo, Samarawickrama later transitioned to St Joseph’s during his final years. Flourishing within the school system, he left a lasting impression, including a notable innings of 126 in St Joseph’s most significant fixture of the year.

Sadeera Samarawickrama played a significant role in Sri Lanka’s squad during the 2014 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup. His prowess continued to shine as he emerged as the highest run-scorer in the 2016–17 Premier League Tournament, amassing an impressive total of 1,016 runs from 10 matches and 19 innings.

Recognizing his outstanding performance, he was honored as the best batsman in domestic cricket for the 2016–17 season at Sri Lanka Cricket’s annual awards in November 2017. This recognition highlighted his exceptional contributions to the cricketing scene in Sri Lanka.

Samarawickrama represented Sri Lanka in the ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2017 tournament, where he played a crucial role in the final match against Pakistan, scoring 45 runs to help secure victory in the low-scoring game. This triumph marked Sri Lanka’s first-ever win in the tournament. Following this success, in September 2017, he was selected to be part of Sri Lanka’s Test squad for their series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.

In the domestic cricket scene, Samarawickrama has been associated with various teams over the years. From 2014 to 2020, he played for the Colts, contributing to their success. In 2015, he briefly joined Colombo Commandos. 

The year 2021 saw him representing Galle Gladiators, showcasing his cricketing prowess. Since 2022, Samarawickrama has been an integral part of Jaffna Kings. Additionally, from 2020 to the present, he continues to make valuable contributions to Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club, adding depth to his cricketing journey.

In the following month, he earned a spot in Sri Lanka’s Twenty20 International (T20I) squad for the series against Pakistan. Moving ahead to May 2018, Samarawickrama received recognition when he was among the 33 cricketers granted a national contract by Sri Lanka Cricket for the upcoming 2018–19 season.

As cricket progressed, in June 2022, he secured a place in the Sri Lanka A squad for the matches against Australia A during Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka. These opportunities reflect his consistent presence and contributions in various formats for the Sri Lankan cricket team.

In March 2018, Samarawickrama joined Galle’s squad for the 2017–18 Super Four Provincial Tournament, showcasing his talent in provincial cricket. The following month, he continued his participation by being named in Galle’s squad for the 2018 Super Provincial One Day Tournament. His journey extended to August 2018 when he was selected for Dambulla’s squad in the 2018 SLC T20 League.

In February 2019, during the first day of the 2018–19 SLC Twenty20 Tournament, Samarawickrama displayed exceptional skills by scoring an unbeaten century for Colts Cricket Club against Police Sports Club. The following month, in March 2019, he earned a spot in Kandy’s squad for the 2019 Super Provincial One Day Tournament.

His cricketing endeavors continued in August 2021, when he was chosen for the SLC Blues team in the 2021 SLC Invitational T20 League tournament. Notably, in July 2022, Samarawickrama signed with the Jaffna Kings for the third edition of the Lanka Premier League, adding to his diverse and impactful cricketing experiences.

Achievements and Awards:

Samarawickrama marked his One Day International (ODI) debut for Sri Lanka on October 20, 2017, facing Pakistan. However, his start was challenging as he was dismissed for zero in both matches. This achievement, or rather challenge, made him the third batsman in history, following Sachin Tendulkar and Kane Williamson, to face a dismissal for zero in their first two ODIs.

On April 17, 2023, in the opening Test, Samarawickrama achieved a significant milestone by scoring his first century in Test cricket. This remarkable feat also marked him as the first Sri Lankan wicket-keeper to achieve such a century since 2016.

His score of 104 runs not only secured his place in history but also stood as the highest score by a Sri Lankan player batting at Number 8 or lower in Test matches. This inning showcased his batting prowess and contributed to both personal and team records.

During the 2016–17 season, Samarawickrama received recognition for his outstanding contributions to domestic cricket. He was awarded the title of “Best Batsman in Domestic Cricket” at Sri Lanka Cricket’s annual awards, highlighting his remarkable batting skills and impressive performances in the national cricket scene.

Stats:

Sadeera Samarawickrama has showcased his batting prowess across various formats. In Test cricket, he has played nine matches, amassing 308 runs at an average of 23.69, including a notable century with a highest score of 104*. In ODIs, Samarawickrama has been a consistent performer, scoring 1047 runs in 35 matches at an impressive average of 37.39, with a top score of 108. His T20I record includes 136 runs in 12 matches.

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