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| Nuwan Kulasekara | |
|---|---|
| Name | Nuwan Kulasekara |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Fullname | Nuwan Kulasekara |
| Birth date | 22 July 1982 |
| Birth place | Nittambuwa, Gampaha District, Western Province |
| Batting | Right-handed |
| Bowling | Right-arm fast-medium |
| Role | Bowler |
| Internationalspan | 2005–2016 |
Nuwan Kulasekara is a former Sri Lankan international cricketer who played as a right-arm fast-medium bowler and useful lower-order right-handed batsman. He represented Sri Lanka national cricket team across Test, One Day International and Twenty20 International formats and was noted for his seam bowling, accuracy and ability to swing the ball. Kulasekara featured in multiple major tournaments including the ICC Cricket World Cup and the ICC Champions Trophy and was a regular partner to bowlers such as Lasith Malinga and Chaminda Vaas in white-ball cricket.
Born in Nittambuwa, Kulasekara developed through school cricket at St. Anthony's College, Wattala and played club cricket for Galle Cricket Club and Colombo Cricket Club before moving to Nondescripts Cricket Club. He rose through provincial pathways including appearances for Sri Lanka A and represented franchise sides in competitions such as the Indian Premier League where he was linked with teams including Deccan Chargers and Mumbai Indians. Domestically he also played in tournaments like the Inter-Provincial Twenty20 and featured in tours with Sri Lanka Under-19s and in matches against visiting sides like England cricket team and Australia national cricket team at the domestic venue level.
Kulasekara made his international debut for Sri Lanka in limited-overs cricket and quickly established himself as a white-ball specialist, playing key series against teams such as India national cricket team, Pakistan national cricket team, South Africa national cricket team and New Zealand national cricket team. He was a member of Sri Lanka squads for the 2007 Cricket World Cup, the 2011 Cricket World Cup, and the 2015 Cricket World Cup, and was part of the side that reached finals and semifinals against opponents like England cricket team and India national cricket team. In bilateral Test series he contributed in tours to countries including England, West Indies, Bangladesh national cricket team and Zimbabwe national cricket team, partnering seam attacks with bowlers such as Dilhara Fernando and Suraj Randiv. Kulasekara registered notable performances in major tournaments including an impactful role in Sri Lanka's bowling unit during the ICC Champions Trophy 2006 and series wins over Australia national cricket team and Pakistan national cricket team.
Known for his ability to move the ball both ways, Kulasekara operated at fast-medium pace and relied on late swing, seam position and disciplined line-and-length reminiscent of bowlers like Glenn McGrath and Dale Steyn. He used the new ball effectively in powerplays in One Day International cricket and executed yorkers and slower bouncers in death overs, contributing in tandem with specialists such as Lasith Malinga and Thisara Perera. Coaches and analysts compared his control to veterans like Chaminda Vaas in terms of consistency, while commentators during matches against South Africa national cricket team and England cricket team praised his ability to exploit helpful conditions and seam-friendly pitches.
Kulasekara held several distinctions in Sri Lankan cricket, including ranking among the leading wicket-takers in One Day International cricket for Sri Lanka during his peak and achieving top positions in the ICC Player Rankings for bowlers. He achieved five-wicket hauls against international sides such as Bangladesh national cricket team and posted match-winning performances in series versus Pakistan national cricket team and New Zealand national cricket team. Kulasekara was part of Sri Lankan squads that won bilateral trophies and tri-series events against teams like Australia national cricket team and England cricket team, and he received recognition at national awards ceremonies overseen by bodies such as the Sri Lanka Cricket board.
Kulasekara's personal life includes connections to cricketing communities in Gampaha District and engagement with charitable and development activities linked to provincial cricket associations. He interacted with teammates including Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene, Tillakaratne Dilshan and Angelo Mathews during his career and featured in media interviews and promotional events alongside national sports figures and administrators. Off the field, he balanced sporting commitments with family life in Western Province, Sri Lanka.
After announcing retirement from international cricket, Kulasekara participated in domestic competitions and mentoring roles, contributing to coaching clinics and talent development initiatives connected to Sri Lanka Cricket and provincial academies. He remained involved in franchise and club cricket circuits, appearing in exhibition matches and charity events alongside former internationals such as Muttiah Muralitharan, Shane Warne, Chris Gayle and Shahid Afridi, and later worked with coaching staff and selectors at regional levels to support upcoming fast bowlers.
Category:Sri Lankan cricketers Category:1982 births Category:Living people