Thu, 28 Mar 2024 Today's Paper

Fmr SL cricketers Suraj Randiv, Chinthaka now working as bus drivers in Melbourne

28 February 2021 07:34 pm - 26     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lanka’s right-arm off-spinner Suraj Randiv, who was a part of Sri Lanka’s ICC 2011 World Cup squad and his fellow cricketers Chinthaka Jayasinghe and Waddington Mwayenga, are now working as bus drivers in Australia to earn their living, according to foreign media reports.

Apart from Suraj and Chinthaka, a Zimbabwe cricketer Waddington Mwayenga have migrated to Australia and work as bus drivers in Melbourne for a French-based company known as Transdev.

The three cricketers play for local cricket clubs but had to choose a different career path too to earn their bread and butter and survive in Australia. Transdev is a company that employs 1200 drivers from diverse professions and the three cricketers are hoping that public transports can get their respective cricket teams in the near future.

Suraj Randiv has represented Sri Lanka in 12 Test matches scalping 43 wickets at an economy of 3.07 along with scoring 147 runs at an average of 9.2. As far as limited-overs format is concerned, the spinner has featured in 31 One Day Internationals and 7 T20 Internationals picking 36 and 7 wickets respectively at an economy of 5.06 and 6.61.

Out of the three cricketers, Randiv is the only one who plays at district level in Australia. He also represents Dandenong Cricket Club, which is affiliated with Victoria Premier Cricket and takes part in Cricket Australia State Competitions. A few notable Australian cricketers including James Pattinson, Peter Siddle and Sarah Elliot have played for the same cricket club in the past.

Suraj had recently helped Australia National Cricket team players in preparing for the four-match Border Gavaskar Trophy against India, which was clinched by the visiting nation by 2-1. Speaking about the same, the 36-year-old revealed that Cricket Australia (CA) had called him to help the Australian players practice for the Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

‘I was asked by CA to come and bowl against their bowlers and I didn’t want to miss the opportunity,’ Randiv said in a video uploaded by 9 News.

Coming to Chinthaka and Waddington Mwayenga, since his debut against India on December 9, 2009, Chinthaka had represented Sri Lanka in 5 T20 Internationals scoring 49 runs while Waddington was a medium-fast bowler for Zimbabwe playing a solitary Test and three ODIs during 2005 and 2006.

 

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  Comments - 26

  • love Sunday, 28 February 2021 07:57 PM

    Thanks for teaching us what life is. Many kids here in LK want a BMW before even starting a job or need a CEO level salary before even know how to treat a fellow staffer. Parent haven't made it struggling hard but through ill avenues. Great stuff! Best wishes! Love from Sri Lanka!

    Cricketer Sunday, 28 February 2021 08:05 PM

    In comparison, Sangakkara, Mahela, Murali, Dhilsan,Sanath, Arjuna, Romesh, Aravinda, Chaminda are billionaires/ millionaires.

    Mokan Sunday, 28 February 2021 08:08 PM

    What is wrong with driving buses. Atleaset they are happy and safe in Melburne

    roni Sunday, 28 February 2021 08:16 PM

    There is no dignity of labor in that country, so there nothing wrong. They migrated to seek greener pastures, so this may give him better income than what qualifications he has. Keep the flag flying man.

    karu Sunday, 28 February 2021 08:16 PM

    No profession is inferior. May God bless them a bright future in their adapted Country.

    RoaringCreek Sunday, 28 February 2021 08:22 PM

    In the western world you get employment depending on your capabilities. This will be the same if our present and past test crickets, politicians go down under or to a developed country.

    FF Sunday, 28 February 2021 08:58 PM

    IT IS NOT BELOW ONES DIGNITY TO DRIVE BUSES. GOD BLESS THEM

    Gayan Sunday, 28 February 2021 09:16 PM

    In Sri Lanka they would have worked as executive grades. Most people migrated to the west, Canada, Australia work in these kind of jobs.

    Peacemaker Sunday, 28 February 2021 09:19 PM

    If he had pilot license, he could have flown an airplane, but he only has driver’s license

    Lanka Sunday, 28 February 2021 09:22 PM

    Is this worthy of a news??? They are ex cricketers migrated to another country for a better living. Living in a developed country any job is a decent job! Coz the standard of living is high. No social or unwanted pressure for what you do unlike here. Here, you are judged by your appearance than what u have inside your head! Just leave them alone. Omg!

    vithura Sunday, 28 February 2021 09:56 PM

    Decent people earn a decent living, good for them! Sports should not be about making money and when becomes one, it no longer is a sport but a business!

    Anton Monday, 01 March 2021 02:55 AM

    The hourly rates are high for public transportation drivers. They also work on rostered schedules, so they have the freedom to adjust their schedules according to times that suit them. Weekend and public holiday rates are even higher. Depending on the hours they work, they can easily earn more than what an executive in an office earns. In countries such as Austrlaia, New Zealand, Canada, trade jobs (mechanical, construction, electrician etc) are some of the high earners, depending on the skill level.

    Senaka Monday, 01 March 2021 03:24 AM

    If the country is not treating its citizens in a civilised way , this is the most appropriate thing to do. Sri Lanka is good for corrupted people like our politicians and their henchmen.

    Hawkeye Monday, 01 March 2021 07:12 AM

    I agree that there is nothing wrong or in any way degrading in driving a bus. But if we are honest, I think that these young guys would not have expected this ... in their adopted home. The truth is, deep down they would have expected something ... shall we say ... different

    Prem Nalin Monday, 01 March 2021 07:53 AM

    I am ready even to begin any first world country.

    SriLankan Cricket Pissa Monday, 01 March 2021 08:07 AM

    No problem - what's wrong, may be they are earning more than our prominent Cricketers.

    German Jacob Rathnasingham Monday, 01 March 2021 08:10 AM

    All these guys are greedy for money. Even our former President Mythiripala Sirisena who told he will remain as a President for only one year, but ended up with 5 years and still that beggar wants to be as a Member of Parliament to make money in millions, though he earned in billions.

    Appinang SriLanka Monday, 01 March 2021 08:12 AM

    If our Cricket Board pay the right payments like India, Pakistan and even Bangladesh - they won't go astray.

    Huggy Samson Monday, 01 March 2021 08:14 AM

    What I feel they have taken the right decision. They work and earn not play and earn. Which is better?

    Sokrates Monday, 01 March 2021 08:28 AM

    In contrast to Sri Lanka, a bus driver who works for a private company is an honourable and good paid job in Australia.

    Sambo Monday, 01 March 2021 08:31 AM

    They work to earn their money and there's no shame in it. It's better than running in a BMW with stolen money or drug money as done in LK.

    Justin Gunatilaka Monday, 01 March 2021 02:53 PM

    So what even Desmond de Silva selling eggs in Sydney

    brainmaster Monday, 01 March 2021 04:03 PM

    just imagine what jobs would be offered to most of our MP's if they emigrate.

    Ruwan Chand Monday, 01 March 2021 09:02 PM

    Not bad. Which job pay 800000Lkr per month for 40 hr work week if you aren’t corrupt.

    Moh Fauzi Sally Wednesday, 10 March 2021 01:40 PM

    Please don't shame people for the job they do. At least they are gainfully employed as per their qualifications and chose to live in a country that respects every individual equally and provides them hope sans discrimination.

    SAM Wednesday, 10 March 2021 05:53 PM

    Appears they have pride and dignity and we admire such people, may God bless you.

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