VSDCA 2018-19: St Bernard’s Sri Lankan star Arosh Janoda sidelined with foot injury

St Bernard’s has suffered a “devastating” blow in its push for a maiden VSDCA finals berth, with Sri Lankan all-rounder Arosh Janoda sidelined by stress fractures in his foot.

St Bernard’s all-rounder Arosh Janoda steams in earlier this season. Picture: Josie Hayden

St Bernard’s has suffered a “devastating” blow in its push for a maiden VSDCA finals berth, with Sri Lankan all-rounder Arosh Janoda sidelined by stress fractures in his foot.

The fast-bowling all-rounder, who was the leading bowler in the North-West group last summer with 38 wickets, could miss the remainder of the 2018-19 season.

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Snowdogs coach Nigel Freebairn said the club remained “optimistic” Janoda would return in the latter rounds of the campaign.

“Considering the nature of injury and time of the year, we’d be optimistic,” Freebairn said. “But whether that optimism is more realistically based than hopeful, we will wait and see.”

Janoda has made 186 runs at 37.2 and taken nine wickets in six games this season.

“Devastating news for him and for us,” Freebairn said.

“However, without being clichéd, it provides an opportunity for someone else.

“While he’s certainly a very important cog in our wheel, he hasn’t taken a whole lot of wickets.”

Arosh Janoda is facing an extended stint on the sidelines. Picture: Hamish Blair

The 31-year-old had been named in the VSDCA representative squad but has withdrawn due to injury.

Freebairn highlighted experienced all-rounder Steve Brne, who recently joined St Bernard’s, as a possible replacement for Janoda.

“ (Arosh has) had a couple of devastating (games) with the bat, which we will miss,” Freebairn said.

“But it really just provides an opportunity for someone else, and potentially our new recruit Steve Brne who has recently arrived at the club.”

Brne, who was added to the Victorian state umpire panel this season, was a dual premiership player in the VTCA with Keilor and took 2-28 for the Snowdogs’ Second XI on debut.

“While you are going to struggle to adequately fill the shoes of Arosh … Steve certainly may play an important role with his knowledge, experience and ability to bat and bowl,” Freebairn said.

Meanwhile, St Bernard’s progressed to the quarter-finals of the VSDCA Twenty20 tournament with a 41-run victory over Werribee on Tuesday.

Daniel O’Connell hammered 102 to power the Snowdogs to 7-191 and the Tigers were restricted to 8-150 in reply.

St Bernard’s Round 7 match against Preston starts on Saturday.

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