SAVIN PERERA JOINS SOMERSET AND BECOMES SACA’s 19th GRADUATE

SACA is thrilled to announce that Savin Perera has become the 19^th graduate of the Academy, signing professional terms with Somerset County Cricket Club to represent the Wyverns in their 2026 Metro Bank One-Day Cup campaign.

Now 27, Perera, is the epitome of hard-work, belief and resilience, and like the 18 SACA graduates before him, Perera’s journey through the game has been far from straightforward. In his case, it’s been one of dogged determination and perseverance that has got him to this point in his career where he finally gets to fulfil his lifelong dream.

Released by Middlesex at the age of 18, having starred through their pathway and Academy programmes and having just returned from New Zealand after representing England in the Under 19 World Cup, Perera was cut adrift.

After a spell with Nottinghamshire, which ultimately didn’t result in the offer of professional terms, Perera turned to SACA in 2023, where he has been a shining light for the Academy ever since, consistently at the top of the SACA run-scoring charts, scoring 14 hundreds for the Academy to date.

Whilst with SACA, Perera’s best opportunity to join the professional ranks came when on trial at Glamorgan, where after scoring runs heavily and off the back of a hundred for the county, an horrific break to his finger saw any chance of a contract offer come to a cruel end.

In Perera, Somerset have a player that can open the batting, or just as comfortably slot into the top order. He scores runs around the wicket, can score explosively or play the anchor role, dependant on any match situation, and is absolutely unforgiving on anything short of a length. He is a real match-winner! Compact, explosive, punishing – Perera is as dynamic as they come!

Away from SACA, Perera’s form for his Club side, Cavaliers and Carrington Cricket Club in the Nottingham Premier League, has been nothing short of imperious this season – averaging nearly 94 with the bat, and at the time of writing this announcement, currently sees him sat as the leading run-scorer in all of the ECB Premier Leagues around the country.

On Perera signing terms with Somerset, Tom Brown, SACA Founder and MD commented:

“We couldn’t be happier for Sav, who richly deserves this opportunity. We’re so proud of him and are delighted that all his hard work and commitment have finally been rewarded with this opportunity down at Taunton with Somerset.

“We’re blessed to have some exceptionally talented cricketers here at SACA, and Sav is certainly one of the best. For me, he’s the one player that I’ve always known would get his chance, and this is due reward for all he has put into getting to this place.

“Sav embodies everything that we encourage at SACA, and it’s so good to see that his hard-work, attitude, persistence and commitment have been recognised by Somerset. He’s a great example to all the other lads in the squad that if you stick at it, give it your all, you’ll hopefully get the outcome that you deserve.”

On securing his first professional contract with Somerset, Perera himself commented:

“It’s an amazing feeling and something I’ve worked towards for a long time.

“I’m really grateful to Somerset for giving me this opportunity and to everyone who’s supported me along the way, especially SACA, my family and my coaches.

“I’m excited for what’s ahead and ready to make the most of this opportunity.”

Congratulations Sav – everyone at SACA is enormously proud of you.