Walallawita moved to England from Sri Lanka as a preteen but has been unable to play for Middlesex as a local player until now, finally getting his British citizenship.
Walallawita, 23, who narrowly escaped the Boxing Day tsunami in 2004 as a child, moved to England aged 12 and came through the county’s youth system. He graduated from Middlesex’s academy and was the club’s second-team leading wicket-taker in 2019.
In an interview with The Cricketer, Walallawita said,
“I’ve been waiting for this moment for a very long time, and it feels like today a massive weight has been lifted off my shoulders. I am looking forward to repaying their faith in me by delivering for them on the pitch. Hopefully I can play my part in what we all hope will be a successful period for the club on the field.
“I’ve been a part of this county for 10 years and since I first started it’s been my ambition to play as a local player – at last that day has come.
“I can now concentrate fully on trying to cement my place in the side in all formats and no longer worry about things off the field that have been out of my control.”
