VTCA 2020-21: Deer Park secures Yoshan Kumara and Nilochana Perera
Deer Park’s hopes of improving on last season’s fifth-placed finish have received a massive boost, with two star all-rounders crossing from VSDCA clubs.
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Deer Park’s bid to climb the Victorian Turf Cricket Association ladder has received a significant boost with two star all-rounders linking up with the club.
The Lions have secured experienced pair Yoshan Kumara and Nilochana Perera from the Sub-District ranks.
Kumara collected 28 wickets at 16.3 for Ivanhoe last season, including 6-81 against powerhouse Oakleigh, to go with 167 runs at 18.6.
But he finished runner-up in the Val Holten Medal, the VSDCA’s highest individual honour, in 2016-17 after posting 547 runs and grabbing 37 wickets for Taylors Lakes.
Kumara backed up that standout season with 316 runs and 23 wickets in 2017-18 before he spent a summer with Williamstown CYMS in the VTCA, returning 276 runs and 27 wickets.
Perera hit three half-centuries for Noble Park last season, finishing with 337 runs at 30.6 and taking 10 wickets.
He was one of the leading players in the competition in 2018-19, accumulating 448 runs at 37.13 and contributing 25 wickets at 17.
That campaign featured a knock of 135 against Ivanhoe and a haul of 6-29 against Box Hill.
Deer Park coach Ricky Suvada said the pair would bat in the top six and play key roles with the ball.
“They’re pretty experienced,” Suvada said.
“They should add plenty of depth, especially with our batting. We bat pretty deep.
“Just to have the extra bowlers there helps. We probably lacked that a bit last year.
“It just strengthens our side a lot more I reckon.”
Wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammed Alfar fired for the Lions last season, hammering 483 runs at 48.3 to go with 15 catches and five stumpings.
Hashan Wanasekara (276 runs) and club legend Suvada (225 runs and 19 wickets) also impressed, along with Gayan de Silva (28 wickets).
Ex-playing coach Shiran Rajakaruna has departed after Deer Park finished fifth on the Division 1 West ladder last summer.
It will contest an expanded 12-team Division competition in 2020-21 after a restructure.
“Last year we just missed out on finals and we had three or four games there we probably should have won and ended up losing. It was quite disappointing,” Suvada said.
“But I’m pretty confident this year. It’s going to be a tough grade too because there are a lot more teams now.
“Once all this COVID stuff is over, hopefully we can get stuck into it.
“I don’t know if they’re just going to shorten the season or have one-dayers, but we’re looking forward to it.”
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