VSDCA: Former Sri Lankan batsman blasts century for Noble Park

Janaka Liyanabadalge cracked 8 sixes on his way to a superb century against Balwyn in Sub-District cricket on Saturday.

Janaka Liyanabadalge takes in applause for his century for Noble Park. Picture: Stuart Milligan

He was a first-class cricketer.

And he produced a first-class innings to keep Noble Park’s season alive in the Sub-District north-east section.

No 3 Janaka Liyanabadalge cracked 114 as the Parkers routed the struggling Balwyn at Gordon Barnard Reserve on Saturday.

The right-hander faced 102 balls and slapped 6 sixes and 8 fours to lead the visitors to a formidable 6-245.

Balywn was shot out for 99 in reply.

Janaka Liyanabadalge runs a ball to third man. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Liyanabadalge shared a 103-run stand for the second wicket with young opener Josh Crozier (31) and then a partnership of 97 with former Big Bash League player Jeevan Mendis, who cracked 61 in his second game with the club.

Parkers president Craig Ortland said Liyanabadalge’s innings was “right up there’’ with the best he had seen from a Noble Park batsman.

“It was very good,’’ he said.

“It had brilliant, clean hitting. The only chance he gave was when he was going for his hundred and he hit the ball to the boundary at deep mid-wicket. He smashed it and the fielder dived and dropped it and it went for four for his hundred.

“Even the Balwyn people were in awe of him. The deck was a bit soft at one end – they won the toss and sent us in – so it wasn’t easy to bat on early.’’

Noble Park batsman Jeevan Mendis on the attack. Picture: Stuart Milligan

He also had a good time of it with the ball, grabbing 3-20 off nine overs.

Liyanabadalge joined Noble Park last season from Narre Warre, where he scored runs consistently in the Turf 1 and 2 sections of the Dandenong association.

He made 336 runs at 48 in 2020-21, and this season he’s shot up to 330 at 41.3.

The 40-year-old played 157 first-class matches in Sri Lanka, hitting 14 centuries and 47 half-centuries.

In the Balwyn innings, Neil D’Souza, still eligible for Under 18 cricket, took 3-28 off nine overs, coach Dale Christie collected 2-21 off six and Crozier 2-5 off 1.5.

Crozier, the son of former premiership all-rounder and senior coach Matt Crozier, now has 14 wickets at 13.8 this season.

Noble Park is 12th on the ladder at 3-5 and this Saturday it meets the mighty Kew at Victoria Park.

Ortland said it would be a tough match for the Parkers but with Liyanabadalge and Mendis in form and young players gaining confidence, Noble could push the home team.