Country cricket: Madushanka Ekanayaka, Billy McLay, Jayden Edwards star

A premiership star and a 13-year-old combined for 15-26 across two Darley games as country cricket made a big return. Here are the best performances across the state.

Darley cricket stars George Martindale (left) and Madushanka Ekanayaka both enjoyed strong performances on the weekend.

Darley won’t be forgetting the start of the 2021-22 season anytime soon after a pair of stunning individual displays.

Madushanka Ekanayaka put the reigning Ballarat Cricket Association first grade premier on his back to take a stunning 9-15 as Brown Hill were all out for 28.

The former Sri Lankan under 19 representative’s performance paved the way for a thumping nine-wicket win.

Darley coach Brian Wheelahan described the performance as “ridiculous”.

“I’ve never seen anything like it,” he said.

“It wasn’t a crazy wicket because Brown Hill won the toss and chose to bat. ‘Ekka’ produced a masterclass and everything just fell into place.

“There were some really nice catches as well from our guys. He looked dangerous with every ball.

“It was the perfect way to start the season and make a statement at the same time.”

Meanwhile in fourth grade, George Martindale, who turned 13 in September, took a stunning 6-11 in a fantastic display of bowling against Napoleons-Sebastopol.

Club president Tim Gallagher, who also played, had strong praise for the young gun.

“We’ve got a lot of hope for George’s future,” he said.

“It was a fantastic effort. He swings the ball around and puts it on a good length.”

In the same game, grandfather Shane O’Brien played alongside his grandson Ryder, who made 36 after opening the batting.

The pair shared a partnership of 28 runs.

Elsewhere, Wendouree’s Cole Roscholler scored the first century of the first grade season as he belted 113 runs from 112 balls in his side’s 116-run over Golden Point.

Roscholler shared a 151-run opening stand with Sam Miller who was dismissed for 72.

In third grade, Coronet City’s Rohit Sharma hit a century of his own after scoring 102 from 66 balls in a stunning display of batting.

Wicketkeeper turns wicket taker

Kyabram’s Billy McLay hadn’t bowled since 2019 heading into cricket’s return on Saturday but it didn’t stop him from making a difference.

The former wicketkeeper turned match winner for his side taking 6-17 from eight overs to help his side overcome Nagambie by 128 runs in Cricket Shepparton’s Haisman Shield.

The win was helped set-up by Kyle Mueller’s 89-run performance from 73 balls.

Meanwhile, Tatura broke through for its first win since the 2018/19 season after overcoming Karramomus by three wickets.

Blake Armstrong was influential for the winners with 6-21.

Hollis stars for Portland Tigers

A devastating spell of bowling from Joel Hollis has helped the Portland Tigers get its Portland and District Association season off to the perfect start.

Hollis tore through Tyrendarra’s top order to finish with incredible figures of 5-10 to help his side to an 18-run win.

Joel Hollis took 5-10. Photo: Portland Tigers CC.

A stunning all-round performance

Jayden Edwards almost couldn’t do anything wrong to start the season for reigning Grenville Association premier, Carngham.

Edwards top scored for his side with 65 before finishing with a five-wicket haul as his side overcame Derrinallum by 65 runs.

He put his team on the front foot dismissing Derrinallum opener Lachlan Green to get the ball rolling before taking the last three wickets of the run chase.

Six wicket hauls not enough

Longford’s Jake Wynd returned to the field in sensational form at the weekend after taking 6-26 from nine overs against Rosedale-Kilmany in the Sale-Maffra Association first grade competition.

But it wasn’t enough as Wynd and his teammates were on the wrong end of the 67-run result.

Anthony Scott took 4-6 for Rosedale-Kilmany to help lead his side to victory.

Meanwhile in the Colac District Association, City United was still able to chase down 111 with two wickets in hand despite Jarrod Groves taking six scalps for Alvie.

Groves also scored 24 runs after coming in at first drop.

Century makers light up cricket’s return

Apollo Bay’s Ben Firman was almost unstoppable at the weekend as he scored 112 runs to lead his side to a 122-run win over Stoneyford.

Firman was also in the action in the field taking three catches.

Mildura Settlers opener Shane Fitzsimmons was also in fine form in the Sunraysia Association storming to 111 before his side was eventually dismissed on day one of their game against Nichols Point.

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