DOB: 6.4.1977 Test debut: v India, Colombo, 1998 ODI debut: v England, Perth, 1999 Left arm fast medium bowler; left hand batsman

Opportunities, especially in the Test side, have been limited for Perera since making his debut four years ago.

With fellow left-armers Chaminda Vaas and Nuwan Zoysa established in the national side, he has been unable to establish a regular place.

But England should not require reminding about his potential, with Nick Knight, Graeme Hick and Nasser Hussain all falling to Perera in his debut one-day appearance at the WACA in Perth

He has suffered his fair share of injury problems since then but took three for 40 in an Asian Championship match against Bangladesh last September, his best Test figures to date.