Sri Lanka’s Dilruwan Perera completes 150 wickets in Test cricket

Sri Lanka’s premier off-spinner Dilruwan Perera completed 150 wickets in Test cricket. Perera achieved the feat during the second Test against New Zealand at Hagley Oval, Christchurch. He dismissed tail-ender Tim Southee courtesy of a stunning catch from Danushka Gunathilaka.He certainly has been standout bowler for Sri Lanka over past six months.

The off-spinner achieved the feat and became the fourth bowler from Sri Lanka to take more 150 wickets in Test cricket. He joins illustrious league of players like Muttiah Muralitharan, Rangana Herath and Chaminda Vaas. With 795 scalps to his name, Muralitharan is the leading-wicket taker for Sri Lanka in Test cricket.

The 36-year old currently has taken 150 wickets in 36 matches at an average of 32.76. He has also eight five-fors in Test cricket. He finished as the leading-wicket taker for Sri Lanka in 2018 with 50 wickets in 11 matches at an average of 29.32. Perera was also instrumental in helping Sri Lanka achieve a clean-sweep over South Africa in the two-match Test series played at home.

After retirement of Rangana Herath from Test cricket, Perera has been Sri Lanka-go-to bowler in Test cricket in recent times. He certainly enjoyed taking up the leadership role in the bowling department and taken a lot of wickets during this period.

Dilruwan Perera made in Test debut for Sri Lanka against Pakistan in the Test match played at Sharjah Cricket Ground in 2014. He made 95 runs with the bat and also picked one wicket in his debut game. Within a few months’ time, he formed a lethal bowling combination with Rangana Herath as they picked up 295 wickets between them in 28 Test matches.

In 2017, he was named all-rounder of the year during Sri Lanka’ Annual Cricket Awards. He scored 319 runs with the bat and also picked up 31 wickets from Jun 2016 till Jun 2017.