Biography

Mahela Udawatte is a left handed batsman, who is seen to be a replacement for Sanath Jayasuriya. He is also a right handed off-spinner who made his first class debut in 2004-05, but even before that had scored three centuries in just five matches. His average in first class cricket may not be that great, but it his hard hitting capabilities that have left many an expert rooting for him. Mahela's namesake, and Sri Lankan captain, Mahela Jayawardena also rates Udawatte very highly.

He was named in the 30 man provincial squad for the 2007 World Cup but failed to make it to the final fifteen. Udawatte finally made his ODI debut in 2008 against the West Indies, but joined the brigade of those cricketers who have scored a duck on their debut. Sri Lanka lost the match and with that the series, but Udawatte did score a 73 in the second match, to keep himself in reckoning with the selectors. Udawatte plays first class cricket for the Chilaw Marians Cricket Club.