Hoddesdon Cricket Club Welcome Himesh Ramanayake as Overseas Professional for 2026 Season

Hoddesdon Cricket Club are delighted to announce the signing of Sri Lankan fast-bowling all-rounder Himesh Ramanayake as the club’s overseas player for the 2026 season.

A player of proven quality, strong pedigree and genuine upside, Himesh arrives at Lowfield following several seasons competing in Sri Lanka’s demanding domestic system. Currently representing Police Sports Club in first-class cricket, he brings with him international youth experience, franchise exposure, and a deep-rooted cricketing background that makes him an exciting addition for the summer ahead.

For Hoddesdon, this signing is a clear statement of ambition as the club continues to push standards, develop its playing group and compete at the highest level possible.

A Cricketing Pedigree

Born on 5 October 1997 in Manchester, England, Himesh grew up immersed in the game. Cricket runs deep through his family, most notably through his father, former Sri Lanka international and national bowling coach Champaka Ramanayake, who represented his country in 18 Tests and 62 ODIs.

His brother, Hashen Ramanayake, is also well known in English club cricket circles, having enjoyed a highly successful career as a UK professional across multiple leagues. With such strong influences around him, Himesh’s pathway into the game felt almost inevitable. After relocating permanently to Sri Lanka at a young age, he entered the country’s elite cricketing system and began to progress rapidly.

Royal College and Early Development

Himesh was educated at Royal College, Colombo, one of Sri Lanka’s most prestigious schools and a renowned production line for elite cricketers. It was here that he developed the foundations of his game as a fast bowler and lower-order batsman, refining a repeatable action, strong physical conditioning and a tactical understanding beyond his years. His performances in inter-school cricket quickly marked him out as one of the country’s most promising young seamers.

In 2017, he was awarded the Tirimanne Memorial Scholarship Award for Best Bowler — a significant honour that underlined his impact at school level and his readiness to progress into senior cricket.

Sri Lanka Under-19 Honours

Himesh’s talent was recognised early when he was selected for the Sri Lanka Under-19 side at just 16 years old. He represented his country at the 2014 ICC Under-19 World Cup and in a bilateral series against Bangladesh, gaining invaluable exposure to international competition at a formative stage of his career. Across those appearances, he showed discipline with the ball, composure under pressure and useful contributions with the bat — traits that continue to define his game today.

Breaking Into Senior Domestic Cricket

Himesh made his first-class debut in December 2017 for Burgher Recreation Club in Sri Lanka’s Premier League Tournament. He adapted quickly to the demands of senior cricket, contributing with both bat and ball, and went on to make his List A and T20 debuts later in the same season. During his time with Burgher, he established himself as a genuine bowling all-rounder, highlighted by outstanding career-best figures of 5/29.

Those performances opened doors to further opportunities within Sri Lanka’s domestic structure.

Progression Through Sri Lanka’s Top Clubs

Following his emergence, Himesh joined Sinhalese Sports Club in 2018, one of the country’s most historic and successful cricketing institutions. There, he continued to develop alongside experienced professionals and international players, becoming a reliable squad member across formats. A move to Bloomfield Cricket and Athletic Club followed in 2023, before he joined Police Sports Club in 2024, where he continues to play a key role in the Major League Tournament.

Each step has added experience, resilience and tactical depth to his game, helping shape him into a well-rounded professional.

Major Achievements and Big-Game Impact

One of the standout moments of Himesh’s career came in March 2021, when he helped Sinhalese Sports Club lift the SLC Twenty20 Trophy for the first time since 2005. In the final, he delivered a match-winning spell of 3/23 — including the final wicket — and also starred in the semi-final, underlining his ability to perform under pressure in high-stakes matches.

Later that year, he was selected for the SLC Invitational T20 League, finishing as joint leading wicket-taker and further enhancing his reputation as a reliable limited-overs bowler. He has also represented Sri Lanka A, gaining valuable experience against strong international opposition.

Franchise Cricket Experience

In October 2020, Himesh was drafted by the Colombo Kings for the inaugural Lanka Premier League. While opportunities on the field were limited, the experience of operating within a professional franchise environment alongside international stars added another layer to his development. He has remained part of the Colombo-based franchise in subsequent seasons, maintaining his exposure to elite domestic structures.

What Hoddesdon Are Getting

With the ball, Himesh is a right-arm medium-fast seamer who relies on accuracy, seam movement and intelligent variation. He is effective with the new ball, dependable through the middle overs and composed at the death. His T20 record — 36 wickets in 28 matches at an average of 16.75 — highlights both his wicket-taking threat and control, while his first-class career includes multiple five-wicket hauls.

With the bat, he is a powerful right-handed lower-middle-order player who adds valuable depth. His unbeaten 70 in first-class cricket and a List A half-century demonstrate his ability to influence games when required, whether stabilising an innings or counterattacking.

Career Record at a Glance

As of early 2026, Himesh’s career includes:

First-Class

• 38+ matches
• 500+ runs
• 60+ wickets
• Best bowling: 5/29

List A

• 38 matches
• 37 wickets
• Best bowling: 5/18

T20

• 28 matches
• 36 wickets
• Best bowling: 4/31

You can take a deep dive into Himesh's stats by clicking HERE

You can also check out his Wikipedia page HERE

Club Reaction

Head of Cricket Louis Purves expressed his delight at securing a player of Himesh’s calibre.

“We’re absolutely delighted to bring someone of Himesh’s quality to Hoddesdon,” said Purves. “He’s a genuine fast-bowling all-rounder with serious pedigree and a strong domestic record. We believe he’ll make a big impact on the pitch, but just as importantly, he’ll help raise standards across the group and support the development of our younger players.”

First XI captain Rob Walters echoed those sentiments.

“It’s a brilliant signing for the club,” said Walters. “Himesh is exactly the sort of player you want in a dressing room — hungry, skilful and capable of changing games with both bat and ball. We’re all really looking forward to welcoming him to Lowfield and getting the new season started.”

Club Chairman Ian Munday believes the signing reflects Hoddesdon’s wider ambitions.

“This signing represents our ambition to perform at the highest level possible,” said Munday. “Bringing in a player of Himesh’s quality shows what we’re trying to build at Hoddesdon, and we’re proud to welcome him to the club.”

A Team Effort Behind the Scenes

The club would also like to thank Louis Purves, Rob Walters and vice-captain Will Steward for their hard work and persistence in securing Himesh’s services for the 2026 season. Special thanks must also go to first-team spin bowler Harry Mason, who has helped arrange accommodation for our new overseas player — a vital part of ensuring Himesh can settle quickly into life at Lowfield.

Looking Ahead to 2026

Himesh’s arrival feels perfectly aligned with Hoddesdon’s ambitions for the seasons ahead. He brings experience, professionalism and a hunger to succeed, alongside a skill set well suited to English conditions.

Everyone at Hoddesdon Cricket Club is excited to welcome Himesh to Lowfield and looks forward to seeing him in Hoddesdon colours this summer.

Welcome to Hoddesdon, Himesh.

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