Welegedara quits, migrates to Australia

28 July 2015 10:48 am - 12 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lanka pace bowler Chanaka Welegedara has decided to migrate to Australia after being cold shouldered by the national selectors during the recent home series against Pakistan.

Suresh Murugaser, Vice President and chairman of cricket at Sri Lanka’s leading cricket club Tamil Union which Welegedara captained last season said that the club hosted a farewell dinner to the left arm paceman on Monday night.

“It was a sad day for the Tamil Union last night, when we had a farewell dinner for Chanaka Welagedera, Captain of our Premier League team last season. Unfortunately, the Sri Lankan selectors preferred to go with younger options against Pakistan recently, and Wele has decided to pursue his career in Melbourne, where he'll be playing out his days in Club Cricket” Murugesar wrote on his Facebook page.

“Another reason is that he wanted to give his family the benefit of living and growing up in Australia. Watch this space, as there are quite a few Sri Lankan cricketers who could emulate Wele in the years to come. A lot of them have already applied for citizenship there” added Murugesar.

Welegedara, 34, has played 21 Test matches for Sri Lanka between 2007 and 2014, capturing 55 wickets and has also played 10 ODIs and two T20 Internationals for the country.

Welegedara said he decided to quit after being repeatedly ignored by the selectors.

“Selectors called me last evening and asked me to turn up for practices with Sri Lanka A team. I think they must have got the news of my move and suddenly remembered about me,” Welegedara told “Daily Mirror”.(Channaka de Silva)

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Comments - 12

Mansoor Tuesday, 28 July 2015 04:27 PM

I think and aware that next in line will be that tall " Maha" the "roof"

Ponting Wednesday, 29 July 2015 06:27 AM

Migrating to Australia with his family is fine but blaming the selectors for it is pathetic - so Australia is the dustbin for our discarded cricketers ?

Gamini Wednesday, 29 July 2015 07:14 AM

Good luck putha.

Prometheuos Wednesday, 29 July 2015 08:56 AM

All the best. And please teach your kids to support Australia and not SL. Teach them that their allegiance should be to the country that gave them safe a home and not the former home.

Lokka Wednesday, 29 July 2015 10:46 AM

He is lucky to get to a rich first world country like Australia

upali Wednesday, 29 July 2015 11:16 AM

Where is Arjuna? This time d he is silent about the interim committee.

Premalal Wednesday, 29 July 2015 11:28 AM

Sri Lanka will finally be left with people who no one wants and the politicians.

anura Wednesday, 29 July 2015 12:45 PM

surely Australia is a suitable dustbin for outdated srilankan cricketers. We respect your decision but selectors are not to be blamed.

saman Wednesday, 29 July 2015 02:15 PM

Smart decision. Good luck.

maddy Wednesday, 29 July 2015 03:09 PM

Welcome to equal opportunity country

Rohan Wednesday, 29 July 2015 03:22 PM

He is not good enough for an International bowler and he was a lousy fielder as well. Let him migrate to Aus and play 3rd grade cricket there. Good luck to him and his family!

sana Thursday, 30 July 2015 04:40 PM

make sure you dont end up with washing dishshes

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Welegedara quits, migrates to Australia

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