By Steve Brown
SRI LANKA’S former international cricketer Athula Samarasekera may have had his picture taken last week with stumps shattered but the veteran of the 1987 and 1992 World Cups struck a massive blow on the slow Kings Park outfield to blast Upper Gully out of the match on day one of round four.
“Big Sam” who many years ago featured in the lighthearted “Twelfth Man” tapes courtesy of comedian Billy Birmingham blasted 176 in Mountain Gate’s total of 259. One onlooker noted that he smashed the attack to the point that the Upper Gully bowlers were almost disinterested.
Samarasekera, born and raised in the Sri Lankan city of Galle was instrumental in organising the tsunami night match attended by 1200 spectators in February.
Upwey had Belgrave reeling at 4/14 when skipper premiership skipper Scott Vozzo came to the crease. Members of the fielding side made mention that the skipper was under extreme pressure and needed to make a ton.
That he did, adding 94 for the sixth wicket with Dave Goodger who was caught behind for 47. Vozzo had a life at 118 before being run out for a gutsy 140 which included 14 fours and 7 sixes. The Magpies were dismissed in the 76th over for 259 and are well on top. Matthew Grace bowled well for 4/40 from 19 overs.
Knox Gardens batted all day for an impressive 254 for the loss of only 7 wickets against St John’s Tecoma, thanks to youngsters Jarrod Butcher (64) and Matthew Ott (49).
Ott, an impressive leg spinner is one of three FTGDCA players selected in the South East Country (Region 8) under 21 match against Northern Rivers to be played this Sunday at Hallam. Jarrod Parlby took five of the seven wickets to fall however the Falcons are set to open their account next week with runs on the board. Johnson Park (251) performed well against reigning premiers Rowville with Mal Francis (63) and Dulip Samaraweera (85) the best performers. Reliable left armer Craig Arnell took 6/73.
The Basin is 3/40 in pursuit of Knoxfield’s 126 with the James brothers doing the damage for the second week in a row, with Craig taking 5/50. The Knights will be disappointed with day one.
Ferntree Gully is gaining valuable match points and is set to win their third match of the season against Lysterfield. The Beavers batted slowly and were all out 116 thanks to slow bowler Graham Salan (4/16) and left armer Matt Black 3/26. Country Week premiership player Chris Hill top scored with 34 on a slow outfield.
In Decoite Shield, the match of the round saw Eildon Park reach 201 against Monbulk with FTGDCA teammates in the tour of Sri Lanka, Cody Morris (92) and Jason Fraser with six wickets dominating.
Travis Pruysers (60) helped Footballers to 167 against Ferntree Gully, which may not be sufficient with Hall taking five wickets. South Belgrave has taken first innings points over Lysterfield with Todd Burley in good form with 4/36.
An improved performance from Upper Gully sees the Kings with 188 on the scoreboard against Johnson Park. Robbie Winters 60* and skipper Alister Lord 44 showed the way but 14yearold spinner Blake Walter (3/17) stamped himself as a player to watch in the future.
The Basin’s Matt Thompson and Steve Ryan knocked over Upwey for 115 with Corey Walters (47) the only batsman to get going.
Former Footballers club champion, Simon Anning is the fourth FTGDCA player this season to make his debut in Premier cricket in the one day game on Cup Day for Hawthorn Monash Uni against Footscray.
Anning received a scholarship from the FTGDCA and toured Sri Lanka with the senior representative side in 2000, the same year he won the Hawthorn Waverley Medal for best U/18 player in the association.
