Dineth Thimodya pictured batting for Colwyn Bay in 2018 [Wales Sport]
VENTNOR have signed Sri Lankan left-hander Dineth Thimodya as their overseas player as a replacement for last year's star player, Anthony Alleyne.
The Steephill club were unable to benefit again from the services of Barbadian, Alleyne, as he had not qualified for the sports licence required to play cricket in the UK.
Losing Alleyne may have been a blow for Ventnor — promoted to Division 1 of the Southern Premier League — following his consistently superb performances with the bat and ball, finishing top of the batting charts in Division 2 last season.
But they have a ready-made replacement in Dineth, who has signed through agency World Sports Xchange.
Dineth is a 25-year-old all-rounder who has played premier level cricket in the UK the past three seasons — for Colwyn Bay in Wales, Barrow in Cumbria and, last season, Barby in Northamptonshire.
An accomplished left-handed top order batsman and right-handed off-spin bowler, Dineth promises to be a more than able replacement for Alleyne.
Honeymoon
His cricket CV includes selection for the Sri Lankan U19 team and the Sri Lanka Emerging Team, together with spells playing domestic cricket for the Galle and Ragama clubs, and the Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club.
He has made just over 1,000 runs in 20 First Class matches in Sri Lanka, including two centuries.
Dineth, who married Sandali four months ago, has brought his new bride to the Isle of Wight — using their time in Ventnor as a honeymoon. The couple landed in Heathrow on Friday. He will make his competitive debut at New Milton on May 7.
Dineth said: "The Isle of Wight is a really fantastic, lovely place and Ventnor play cricket to a good level, so I'm looking forward to the new season.
"I have played a lot of premier cricket in the UK, which is a very good level — particularly in the Liverpool League, which is a really strong league.
"Hopefully, I can share the experience I have gained — not only with the Ventnor team, but also with youngsters. I aim to do some coaching with the juniors."
The Steephill club were unable to benefit again from the services of Barbadian, Alleyne, as he had not qualified for the sports licence required to play cricket in the UK.
Losing Alleyne may have been a blow for Ventnor — promoted to Division 1 of the Southern Premier League — following his consistently superb performances with the bat and ball, finishing top of the batting charts in Division 2 last season.
But they have a ready-made replacement in Dineth, who has signed through agency World Sports Xchange.
Dineth is a 25-year-old all-rounder who has played premier level cricket in the UK the past three seasons — for Colwyn Bay in Wales, Barrow in Cumbria and, last season, Barby in Northamptonshire.
An accomplished left-handed top order batsman and right-handed off-spin bowler, Dineth promises to be a more than able replacement for Alleyne.
Honeymoon
His cricket CV includes selection for the Sri Lankan U19 team and the Sri Lanka Emerging Team, together with spells playing domestic cricket for the Galle and Ragama clubs, and the Tamil Union Cricket and Athletic Club.
He has made just over 1,000 runs in 20 First Class matches in Sri Lanka, including two centuries.
Dineth, who married Sandali four months ago, has brought his new bride to the Isle of Wight — using their time in Ventnor as a honeymoon. The couple landed in Heathrow on Friday. He will make his competitive debut at New Milton on May 7.
Dineth said: "The Isle of Wight is a really fantastic, lovely place and Ventnor play cricket to a good level, so I'm looking forward to the new season.
"I have played a lot of premier cricket in the UK, which is a very good level — particularly in the Liverpool League, which is a really strong league.
"Hopefully, I can share the experience I have gained — not only with the Ventnor team, but also with youngsters. I aim to do some coaching with the juniors."
