Premier Cricket: Debutant Dhanusha Gamage and veteran Brett Forsyth plunder centuries

Dandenong coach Tom Donnell says he couldn’t have asked for much more from his debutant while also outlining why his great mate is in such a purple patch.

From the moment Tom Donnell saw Dhanusha Gamage, he was impressed.

Amid his final season as a player in 2022-23, the now Dandenong coach admits he had one eye on the talented right-hander down the grades.

It took until just round 2 for Donnell to debut Gamage – and he certainly delivered.

Mirroring Panthers champion Brett Forsyth from the other end, Gamage ground out a marvellous 124no from 226 balls to steer Dandenong to a nine-wicket win over Prahran on Saturday.

“I have been so impressed with him since he come to the club last year,” Donnell said.

“He was someone I have always kept an eye on, his temperament is just so good.

“He’s such a nice guy, nice person and his temperament during games is just fantastic, he never looks overawed, the occasion never gets to him at all.

“He batted well and he definitely has a big future.”

Dhanusha Gamage. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Gamage has built his game on defence, according to Tom Donnell. Picture: Valeriu Campan

It’s Gamage’s cover for his wicket that has Donnell so impressed.

“I think his game is built on his defence, which I think is becoming a bit rarer but it’s still so important,” he said.

“I think that’s the backbone but he is developing that next gear up to really take the bowler down.

“His blueprint is that his defence is really strong and he builds his attack from it.

“Pretty impressive debut, can’t ask for much more than that.”

Brett Forsyth punishes a wide one. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Gamage, in game one, echoed the efforts of Brett Forsyth in game 278.

Gamage made his first ton while Forsyth punched out his 21st.

Forsyth’s 113no is his second century in as many bouts and remains to be dismissed this summer.

Donnell is used to watching Forsyth from the position Gamage had on Saturday, but from his new view, he feels clarity is to account for Forsyth’s purple patch.

“I think he just looks so in control of everything,” he said.

“He’s happy within himself at the moment, the way he’s playing cricket is showing that – he just seems really in control of his game and really happy with where he’s at.

“He’s trying to help the younger guys as well as play his own game.

“I think the guys get just as much benefit out of watching him play then listening to him help them.”

Forsyth is closing in on 10,000 First XI runs (9802) and would become the 11th player in competition history to achieve the feat.