Kumar Dharmasena

One of the closest Sri Lanka gets to an all-rounder these days, Dharmasena is primarily a nippy off-spinner.

india Updated: May 10, 2003 12:37 IST

PTI

Date of Birth: 24 April 1971, Colombo

Test Debut: Against South Africa at Colombo in 1993/94

ODI Debut: Against Pakistan at Colombo in 1994/95

Bats: Right Hand Bat

Bowls: Right Arm Off Break, , Right Arm Medium

One of the closest Sri Lanka gets to an all-rounder these days, Dharmasena is primarily a nippy off-spinner, whose quickish tweaks and unorthodox action have landed him in trouble.

Dharmasena came into the international scene in 1994 against South Africa. His invariable accuracy immediatly made him an ideal one-day bowler, especially in Sri Lankan conditions.

With time he also developed into a useful middle-order batsman, which guaranteed him regular place in the Sri Lankan one-day squad.

His career came to a standstill in 1998, following an ICC ruling to correct his bowling action. However, he worked hard on his action, and was cleared to play again by the Sri Lankan cricket board in July 2000.

He soon returned to the ODI and Test squad, and his useful batting is what may give him the nod over other spinners in the court of Murali.

First Published: May 09, 2003 11:47 IST