Lahiru Milantha (born 28 May 1994) is a Sri Lankan born American wicket-keeper batsman[1]who plays for Silicon Valley Strikers in the Pacific Conference[2][3]of Minor League Cricket .[4][5]

Lahiru Milantha
Personal information
Full name
Bamunugama Koralalage Eshan Lahiru Milantha
Born (1994-05-28) 28 May 1994 (age 30)
Kalutara, Sri Lanka
BattingLeft-handed
RoleWicket-keeper Batter
Domestic team information
YearsTeam
2013/14 – 2017/18 Ragama CC
2015/16Galle Guardians
2016 Prime Doleshwar SC
2018/19 Tamil Union
2019/20 Badureliya SC
2020/21 Negombo CC
2021–2022Morrisville Raptors
2023Silicon Valley Strikers
2023Texas Super Kings
2024 Washington Freedom
Career statistics
Competition FC LA T20
Matches 66 44 46
Runs scored 4537 1394 1082
Batting average 44.92 34.00 25.76
100s/50s 12/21 1/12 0/4
Top score 252 112 78
Balls bowled 806 204
Wickets 15 4
Bowling average 28.93 46.50
5 wickets in innings 0 0
10 wickets in match 0 0
Best bowling 4/33 2/43
Catches/stumpings 65/16 16/7 18/5
Source: Cricinfo, 27 July 2024

Early life

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He was born on 28 May 1994 in Kalutara, Sri Lanka.[6] He schooled in St. Peter's College, Colombo.[7] He started his career as an All-rounder who bowled Leg-Spin, but when he made it to college's First XI he played as a wicket-keeper batsman.[8][9]

Sri Lankan career

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Milantha made his List A debut for Ragama CC on 12 December 2013, against Colts CC[10] during the Premier Limited Overs Tournament, 2013. Soon, he made his first-class debut on 14 February 2014, against Chilaw Marians CC,[11] in Premier League Tournament 2013/14. On 1 April 2015, he made his T20 Debut, against Colombo CC,[12] during the SLC Twenty-20 Tournament 2014/15.[13]

In March 2018 he was the leading run-scorer in the 2017–18 Premier Limited Overs Tournament, with 448 runs from six matches.[14]

In March 2018 he was named in Galle's squad for the 2017–18 Super Four Provincial Tournament.[15][16] The following month, he was also named in Galle's squad for the 2018 Super Provincial One Day Tournament.[17]

In August 2018 he was named in Galle's squad the 2018 SLC T20 League.[18] In February 2019, Sri Lanka Cricket named him as the Best Batsman in the 2017–18 Premier Limited Overs Tournament.[19] In February 2020, he scored a double century in the 2019–20 Premier League Tournament, making 252 runs for Badureliya Sports Club.[20]

American career

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Milintha was one of those several Sri Lankans who migrated USA during early 2020s.[21][22]

He made his MiLC debut with Morisville Raptors on 28 August 2021,[23] against Orlando Galaxy.[24] In 2023 Milantha moved to Silicon Valley Strikers and he was their top scorer with 267 runs, in MiLC Pacific Division 2023.

In March 2023 Milantha was drafted in Round 3 for the Texas Super Kings as the wicket-keeper for the inaugural season of Major League Cricket.[25]

In the 2024 MLC he was signed in the 10th round of domestic draft by Washington Freedom (cricket).[26]

References

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  1. ^ "Lahiru Milantha Profile – Cricket Player U.S.A. | Stats, Records, Video". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  2. ^ "Minor League Cricket 2024: MLC Match Schedules, Scores, News & More". www.minorleaguecricket.com. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  3. ^ "Minor League Cricket 2023: MLC Match Schedules, Scores, News & More". www.minorleaguecricket.com. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  4. ^ "Minor League Cricket 2024: MLC Match Schedules, Scores, News & More". www.minorleaguecricket.com. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  5. ^ "Lahiru Milantha – Minor League Cricket". cricclubs.com. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  6. ^ "Lahiru Milantha Profile – Cricket Player U.S.A. | Stats, Records, Video". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  7. ^ "Lahiru Milantha Profile – Cricket Player U.S.A. | Stats, Records, Video". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  8. ^ Vasudevan, Estelle (16 February 2016). "Lahiru Milantha: Ready to beat the best, to be the best". ThePapare. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  9. ^ "ThePapare Stats –". stats.thepapare.com. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  10. ^ "RAG vs CHLM Live score – Premier League Tournament 2014 February 14 – 16, 2014 Group A in Colombo". ESPNcricinfo. 14 February 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  11. ^ "COLT vs RAG Cricket Scorecard, Group A at Colombo, December 12, 2013". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  12. ^ "RAG vs CCC Cricket Scorecard, Group A at Panagoda, April 01, 2015". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  13. ^ "Lahiru Milantha Debut and last played matches in Tests, ODIs, T20Is and other formats". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  14. ^ "Premier Limited Over Tournament, 2017/18: Most Runs". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
  15. ^ "Cricket: Mixed opinions on Provincial tournament". Sunday Times (Sri Lanka). 26 March 2018. Archived from the original on 27 March 2018. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  16. ^ "All you need to know about the SL Super Provincial Tournament". Daily Sports. 26 March 2018. Archived from the original on 27 March 2018. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  17. ^ "SLC Super Provincial 50 over tournament squads and fixtures". The Papare. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
  18. ^ "SLC T20 League 2018 squads finalized". The Papare. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  19. ^ "New contracts for domestic players; 2017/18 best performers rewarded". The Papare. 20 February 2019. Retrieved 21 February 2019.
  20. ^ "Lahiru Milantha smacks a double ton vs Lankans CC". The Papare. 5 February 2020. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  21. ^ "Lahiru Milantha leaves for the USA – Sports | Daily Mirror". www.dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  22. ^ WZRD (25 August 2021). "Lahiru Milantha migrates to America". Island Cricket. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  23. ^ "Lahiru Milantha – Minor League Cricket". cricclubs.com. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  24. ^ "League: Orlando Galaxy vs Morrisville – Minor League Cricket". cricclubs.com. Retrieved 27 July 2024.
  25. ^ "MLC Draft". Major League Cricket. Retrieved 16 June 2023.
  26. ^ "Washington Freedom Squad - Major League Cricket, 2024 Squad".
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