Premier Cricket: Brett Forsyth and Dhanusha Gamage guide Dandenong home in mammoth chase

Dandenong coach Tom Donnell has sung the praises of two star Panthers, including one he thinks could be making a historical start to his Premier Cricket career.

Dhanusha Gamage. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Dandenong coach Tom Donnell can’t think of many better starts to a Premier Cricket career.

Young Panther Dhanusha Gamage has followed his dazzling debut season with 53 and 94 to start 2024-25.

Gamage combined with Dandy champion Brett Forsyth, who crunched his 24th Premier Cricket century, for a 189-run second-wicket stand.

Gamage’s score in a winning chase against Frankston Peninsula was his sixth score above 50 in just 13 innings.

Donnell believes Gamage, who averages 60, is rivaling some of the competition’s top starts to a career.

“I have been saying it for a bit now, unless it’s an overseas professional who has come in for a season, I am not sure there would be too many better first 13 games,” he said.

Gamage raises the bat. Picture: Valeriu Campan

“He’s made two hundreds and four fifties, I have been waiting for a bit of a down period but he’s such a good person and level-headed that he just gets it done.

“Hopefully he can continue making runs and build from there, it’s only early in his career so there’s time (for higher cricket) but hopefully he’s starting to get looked at.

“He does all the right things, doesn’t shy away from the tough times to bat – sometimes he can take a bit of time to get going but once he does he’s quite damaging.

“I am really enjoying watching him play at the moment.”

Gamage played in the Northern Territory competition during the off-season without similar reward.

Donnell thought the quieter patch and then break was time for Gamage to recharge for another big Victorian summer.

“I actually said to him that I thought it was probably a good thing,” Donnell said.

“He got those out of the way and he came back a bit earlier and just kept doing his thing, his work rate didn’t drop at all.

“Last year he came into the team and went bang, bang, this season he’s got higher expectations but has gone about it the same way.

“That little bit of a break (after Darwin) was probably good for him to freshen up as well.”

Gamage playing in the NT.

Gamage was dismissed first ball after drinks trying to speed up the Panthers’ pursuit of the Heat’s 310.

Forsyth, however, motored through the 90s on his way to 132.

Donnell said Forsyth’s competitiveness was in full swing on Saturday.

“When he needed a boundary, he found one, his ability to stay in the game and want to stay out there is what sets him apart,” he said.

“I think he hates getting out more than he likes making runs, if that makes sense, he’s just so competitive.”

Shobit Singh (37no off 30 balls) and Josh Slater (12no off 10) saw the Panthers to their four-wicket win.

Dandenong hosts Northcote next weekend in another two-day match.