Former Sri Lankan spinner, Suraj Randiv now works as a bus driver in Australia

Former Sri Lankan cricketer, Suraj Randiv is currently plying his trade as a bus driver in Australia. Randiv was part of Sri Lanka’s 2011 World Cup squad. He was one of the eleven members who played the final of the 2011 World Cup against India at Wankhede Stadium.

The 36-year old spinner is currently working for a France-based transport company in Australia along with two other fellow cricketers i.e., Chinthaka Jayasinghe and Waddington Mwayenga.

Transdev is a France-based company that hires 1200 drivers from diverse professions. Besides, Randiv also plays cricket at a district level for Dandenong Cricket Club. Cricketers like Pat Cummins, Peter Siddle and Sarah Elliot too have represented the club in the past.

Ahead of the Border-Gavaskar series 2020-21, Suraj Randiv was called up by Cricket Australia as a net bowler to prepare the Aussies against spin.

‘I was asked by CA to come and bowl against their bowlers and I didn’t want to miss the opportunity,” said Randiv in a video uploaded by 9 News.

In his international cricket career, Randiv has represented in 12 Test, claiming 43 wickets at an average of 37.05. Besides, he has played 31 ODIs and 7 T20s, claiming 36 and 7 wickets respectively. He started his international cricket career strongly, however, the rise of spinners such as Ajantha Mendis and Rangana Herath meant Randiv remained on the fringes of Sri Lankan team.

The off-spinner wasn’t part of Sri Lanka’s initial 2011 World Cup squad. However, Angelo Mathew’s injury opened the gates for him for the marquee event.

For the unversed, the other two cricketers, Chinthaka Jayasinghe and Waddington Mwayenga have also played at the international level for their respective sides. Jayasinghe is a former Sri Lanka spinner who has played 5 Tests, while Waddington Mwayenga has played 1 Test and 3 ODIs for Zimbabwe.