VTCA 2018-19: Yaditha Ushan snares 16 wickets to bowl Footscray United to outright win over West Newport
Yaditha Ushan produced a match for the ages, taking an astonishing 16 wickets to lead Footscray United to an outright victory over West Newport.
North West
Don't miss out on the headlines from North West. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Yaditha Ushan produced a match for the ages, taking an astonishing 16 wickets to lead Footscray United to an outright victory over West Newport.
The Footscray United paceman took hauls of 7-29 and 9-34, finishing with match figures of 16-63 as his team won its first match of the Division 3 season outright and gave itself an outside chance of avoiding relegation.
OFF-SEASON HQ: LATEST COACH, PLAYER MOVES IN LOCAL FOOTY
AFL GAMES RECORD HOLDER HARVEY TAKES ON COACHING ROLE
HAS THIS BOX HILL QUICK BECOME ONE OF THE VSDCA’S BEST?
THE BATSMAN WHO SCORED MORE THAN 500 RUNS IN 12 DAYS
IS THIS THE BEST PREMIER CRICKET DEBUT IN HISTORY?
The only reason he was prevented from snaring all 10 wickets in the second innings was a run out.
Club president Francis Butcher, who has written a book on the club’s history, said he was confident the haul would be a record for the Bulldogs.
“It’s a great effort,” Butcher said of Ushan’s efforts.
“84 years of history says it doesn’t happen often.”
In his eighth season at the club, the Sri Lankan left-armer helped bowl West Newport out for 86 and 66 as United cruised to an outright victory after tallying 119 and 3-35.
Ushan claimed the opening six wickets of West Newport’s first innings at Loft Reserve, destroying the home side’s top-order with a destructive display of bowling.
His efforts in the second innings were even more awe-inspiring, taking all bar the ninth wicket to power the Bulldogs to a long-awaited win.
It has been a challenging season for Footscray United, left without a home ground due to Maribyrnong Council works to replace the turf wicket and pavilion at Scovell Reserve in Maidstone.
The works have meant each of their matches has been played away. The club’s seconds also have to play away on Sundays.
The outright result has thrust the team to within five points of Seabrook and means a win against likely finalist Williamstown Imperials in Round 14 could secure an unlikely reprieve from the drop.
MORE LOCAL SPORT
MEAGHER OUT TO MAKE MARK IN VFL
TIGERS SIGN EX-VFL MAGPIE IN RECRUITING COUP
CAN ROOSTERS RUCKMAN BECOME NFL’S PREMIER BIG MAN?
Ultimate club-by-club NPL Victoria season preview
The NPL Victoria season is officially underway. Check out all the ins and outs and star players at every club. Plus, our premiership predictions for the NPL and VPL seasons.
EDFL club lands dominant local footy ruck
Pascoe Vale has capped an off-season of change securing the signature of one of local footy’s most prized ruckman. Go inside the changes at the Panthers.