26/09/2026
From Negombo to the World Stage - The Rise of Sachindu colamabage
Every so often, Sri Lankan cricket produces a bowler who leaves batters scratching their heads. Negombo can now proudly say it has produced the latest one.
Sachindu Colombage was born on 21 February 1998 in Negombo, and his cricketing story starts at Maris Stella College, the Marist Brothers' school founded in 1922 that has long been a nursery for local cricket talent. Wearing the red and blue, Sachindu was already showing all-round promise as a schoolboy, top-scoring with 65 against Richmond College in the 2017 Singer Cup quarter-final and chipping in with two wickets.
His arrival in top-level cricket was instant. On his professional debut in 2019, playing a T20 for Nondescripts alongside internationals like Pathum Nissanka, he took 3 wickets for 8 runs in just 2 overs to help beat Saracens Sports Club. That same year, he was picked for the 2019 ACC Emerging Teams Asia Cup and then for the South Asian Games, where Sri Lanka took silver.
The years that followed were about patience and hard work. He featured in the LPL and represented both the Sri Lanka Cricket XI and the U-23 side, while also sharpening his craft in English club cricket. At Wellington CC he claimed 47 wickets at 16.74 with a best of 6/19, and at Downham Stow he added 48 more at 21.06, including a 7/20. Along the way he even qualified as an ECB Core Coach.
Thriving under Shanaka in Galle
The 2026 Lanka Premier League proved to be a turning point. The newly renamed Galle Gallants appointed former Sri Lanka T20I captain Dasun Shanaka to lead the side, and Sachindu was part of a bowling unit that also included Eshan Malinga and Kasun Rajitha. With a captain who knows how to use a wicket-taker, Sachindu grabbed his chance, announcing himself early in the tournament with a superb spell against Dambulla Sixers.
Shanaka's faith in his bowlers paid off in the biggest way. Galle beat defending champions Jaffna Kings by five wickets in the final to win the LPL for the first time in their history. When the national selectors named the squads for the England tour soon after, captain and spinner were both in: Shanaka returned to the ODI setup while Sachindu earned his maiden call-up.
A dream debut
Sachindu's call-up rewarded a strong domestic record of 69 List A wickets. His chance to play came sooner than expected when Wanindu Hasaranga was sidelined with a back problem before the first ODI, and Sachindu was handed his debut in his place.
He made the most of it. In the first ODI at Chester-le-Street, he broke a 68-run partnership by bowling Joe Root, trapped Jos Buttler lbw, and removed Jamie Overton to finish with 3/44 from his 10 overs, helping bowl England out for 265. Analysts are already fascinated by his action, which carries echoes of Muttiah Muralitharan in the run-up and Anil Kumble in the bustling delivery stride.
Sri Lanka has a proud history of mystery spin, from Murali to Mendis. Sachindu's journey shows that talent, persistence and years of grinding away far from home can still open the door. For Negombo and Maris Stella, this is just the beginning, and the whole town will be watching every ball.
