Former Sri Lankan international Dilhara Lokuhettige will play his first game for Tallangatta in almost 12 months on Saturday.
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The 37-year-old has just flown back into the country in time to tackle powerhouse, Wodonga.
He hasn’t played since last November.
“He’s definitely keen to get in and put his best foot forward,” Bushies’ coach Matt Armstrong said.
“He was certainly very apologetic when he left last year about his injury, hence why he was so keen to come back and definitely have at least one more season and prove what he can do here and reward the club for looking after him.”
The paceman became the association’s first international player in 24 years.
He played nine one-day internationals and two T20 games, retiring from the elite level in September, 2016.
Lokuhettige showed glimpses of his talent in the CAW opening rounds, snaring 10 wickets at 16.8 and hitting 67 runs at 33.5, with limited opportunities.
Definitely have at least one more season and prove what he can do here and reward the club.
- Matt Armstrong
But his season came crashing down when he dislocated and fractured his right ankle playing in the US version of the Big Bash.
It was a bitter blow to not only the Bushies’ premiership hopes, but also stole some of the gloss from the competition.
Lokuhettige had shown his class at the US Open, smashing two half-centuries and taking regular wickets for the tournament-winning US All Stars, which featured five former internationals.
The Bushies’ other import – former Indian under 19 squad member Sahib Malhotra – should return soon.