VTCA: Druids sign Sri Lankan Isuru Okandage for Senior Division season
Druids have secured the signing of a batsman who hit more than 500 runs in the VTCA in 2018-19 and once played alongside Sri Lanka great Tillakaratne Dilshan.
North West
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A classy left-hander who once opened the batting alongside Sri Lanka great Tillakaratne Dilshan has linked up with Druids.
Isuru Okandage, who has eight first-class appearances to his name, has joined the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Senior Division outfit after a stint at Airport West St Christophers.
Okandage punched out three half-centuries last season as he accumulated 311 runs at 28.27.
But the 26-year-old enjoyed a standout summer in 2018-19, hitting 504 runs at 36, including a fine knock of 63 in the Division 1 West grand final against the Wizards.
“I know playing against him that he’s a really good player,” Druids captain-coach Michael Hay said.
“Having him in the team, I think he’s going to be an awesome recruit. He’ll definitely help.
“We’ve got a pretty decent batting attack at the moment, but I think it will be a lot stronger with him in it, which I’m pretty pleased about. “
Hay said Okandage would likely fill a position at the top of the order and “definitely” feature in the top four.
Okandage is also capable of standing behind the stumps, having filled that role for Airport West.
“I think he’ll fit in well with the boys. We got along well when playing against him, so having him with us will be even better,” Hay said.
Druids have also secured a pair of 19-year-old all-rounders in Ben Doll and Luke Shoesmith.
Doll has taken 65 wickets for Grand United in the past two seasons, while Shoesmith has spent time at Rupertswood and East Sunbury and opened the bowling in the GDCA’s top grade when he was only 16.
The Wizards went down to powerhouse Yarraville Club in a semi-final clash last season, with their XI featuring nine players aged under 24.
“We’re more developing the future at the moment,” Hay said.
“We’re trying to bring in players that we can build up and have them long term.
“Bringing in more young players, the future’s hopefully looking bright for us at the moment, which is awesome.
“We’ve got (star veterans) Shane Windridge and Leigh Wilson, but we’ve got a really young side.”
But Druids will be without Sri Lankan Dhanushka Dharmasiri this season because of the coronavirus crisis.
Dharmasiri was the club’s leading run-scorer in 2019-20 with 439 at 36.16 and hammered 117 against Keilor.
Indika Gallage, who represented Sri Lanka at Test and one-day international level before collecting 245 wickets for Druids in 14 seasons, has crossed to East Keilor.
Hay said the Wizards were encouraged by their efforts last summer after claiming the Division 1 West flag the previous campaign.
“Our main thing last season was staying up and staying competitive, and I was pleased that we did,” he said.
“It’s going to be the same for this year, just having a young side and getting them more experience. I think that’ll be the key.”
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