Airport West St Christopher’s star smashes first century in two years

Airport West St Christopher’s star Dinesh Cooray sent a gentle reminder he’s still a force to be reckoned with after scoring his first ton in two years.

Dinesh Cooray in action for Airport West St Christopher’s. Picture: David Smith

After Airport West St Christopher’s recruits stole the headlines earlier in the season, Dinesh Cooray delivered a gentle reminder on Saturday.

The Eagles great smashed his first century since November 2018 and picked up a key wicket to help beat VTCA Division 1 rival Altona Roosters by 23 runs at Etzel St Reserve.

In a blistering 96-ball knock, Cooray finished unbeaten on 104 with 12 fours and a pair of sixes.

The veteran all-rounder needed 12 runs off the final over to bring up triple figures and did it in style by launching the ball over the rope.

“It’s good to see Ranga get back in form because he’s been our star over the last seven or eight years,” Eagles coach Scott Woolcock said.

Dinesh Cooray in action for Airport West St Christopher’s. Picture: David Smith

“Jordy (Kelly) and Dan (Salpietro) set us up with a good opening partnership and when Ranga came in he held the innings together for us.

“With 10 overs to go we had wickets in hand and he was able to go bang and come home hard.

“I think he needed 12 runs in the last over and he was super smart about it. I think it was two, two, two, two and then a massive six over cover to bring up his hundred.”

Boom recruit Salpietro posted 51, his second half-century of the season as Airport West St Christopher’s reached 7-214.

Altona Roosters made a blazing start to the chase, reaching 0-79 before Cooray entered the attack.

He removed Leigh Lewis and Salpietro (4-31) dismissed danger man Dishan Kankanamage (58) and Tharanga Indika (39) to rein the Roosters in and hold them to 8-191.

“They were about 0-80 off the first 10 overs and then the next 12 overs went for 16 runs after that,” Woolcock said.

“Jordy and Dan set really smart fields and Indika, Dan and Ranga really tightened them up.

“We brought Ranga on and I think he bowled five overs for eight runs in that period.”

It’s a strong bounce back from the Eagles who were stunned by Spotswood in Round 3.

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The premiership contenders face Sunshine in the final game before the Christmas break.

“If we can go into Christmas 4-1 I would have taken that at the start of the year. That would be ideal,” Woolcock said.

“Sunshine have come up from the great below and we haven’t played them before, so they’re a bit of an unknown.

“After the first couple of weeks when we were flying our middle order didn’t get much of a bat and then came under pressure, that was a little bit of a wake up call that we needed.”