CRICKET has given asylum seeker Maleesh De Silva a vital release from the harsh realities of his life.

Now living in Glenroy, Mr De Silva fled Sri Lanka to escape violence and death threats in 2012, and has donned Pascoe Vale United Cricket Club’s cap, finding acceptance and purpose.

“I love cricket,” he said.

“It gives me something meaningful and worthwhile to do.”

It is a far cry from his native Sri Lanka, where 20-year-old Mr De Silva said he feared for his life, with his family encountering violent attacks and threats from powerful crime gangs.

“It was terrible, I couldn’t live in Sri Lanka. I was afraid I was going to die,” he said.

media_camera Maleesh De Silva plays for Pascoe Vale United CC.

Mr De Silva arrived in Australia in November 2012 and spent 18 months in the Broadmeadows detention centre.

Upon his release, Mr De Silva had little money and no rights to work or study.

Refugee service provider AMES, which has sites in Coburg, Coburg North and Glenroy, helped him transition to life in Australia, including connecting Mr De Silva to community groups, which its spokesman Laurie Nowell said boosted confidence and helped integration.

“We try to connect asylum seekers with community groups to give them something meaningful to do, whether it be sport, gardening, sewing, or mums and bubs groups,” Mr Nowell said.

“They (asylum seekers) can’t work and can’t study, it’s a tough existence.

“Getting involved in a community group can be the difference between having a bit of a life and just existing.

“Cricket has given Maleesh a reason to get out of bed each day. It has made him more confident and happy with himself and he has made a number of friends within the club.”

Mr De Silva joined Pascoe Vale United Cricket Club at the start of the season and played a part as a pace bowler in his club’s second-grade team making the semi-finals, taking 13 wickets, including a 5-40.

Club president Nathan Higgs said they welcomed players from all backgrounds, and that Mr De Silva had integrated seamlessly into Pascoe Vale United.

“He is a great kid and has fit in really well. He gets along with everyone,” he said.

And the benefits may run both ways.

“We are hoping he will stick around the club,” Mr Higgs said.

“We have approached him about coaching a junior team or being involved in clinics as the kids in the club love him.”