Deer Park gun Hashan Wanasekara feasts on Tullamarine again with second century

Deer Park opener Hashan Wanasekara clearly enjoys playing Tullamarine, he hit a second straight century against the Demons on Saturday.

Hashan Wanasekara in action for Deer Park. Picture: Hamish Blair

Deer Park star Hashan Wanasekara clearly enjoys playing Tullamarine.

The Lions opener has scored two centuries in four seasons at McLeod Reserve, both against the Demons.

Wanasekara posted an unbeaten 110 from 119 balls in a 46-run victory last season and backed it up with 102 off 115 balls on Saturday as Deer Park triumphed by 70 runs.

Deer Park skipper Ricky Suvada was in awe of the VTCA Division 1 run-machine.

“He’s in some form, coming off a couple of 70s, so he’s hitting them well,” he said.

Hashan Wanasekara in action for Deer Park. Picture: Hamish Blair

“He didn’t give one chance on the weekend, it was a pretty good hundred, he’s adapted to the one-dayers really well.

“He’s a funny bloke, you try and sledge him but he just giggles and smiles.”

Wanasekara sits on top of the Division 1 run-scoring charts after three matches, with 248 runs, scoring at least a half-century in every dig.

Together with opening partner Angelo Emmanuel (63) he put on a 115-run opening stand to set the foundations.

“His partner, Angelo, is a really good influence on him at the crease, two left-handers opening, they turn it over really quickly,” Suvada said.

“The first game against St Francis they did the same, they’re batting really well together.”

Chasing 8-253, Tullamarine got off to a strong start, reaching 3-132 before 15-year-old paceman Lachlan Fitzgerald triggered a collapse.

Fitzgerald removed Demons’ top-scorer Gihan Kankanamge for 53 and skipper Ben Jenkin (five) in quick succession, finishing with 3-29.

Deer Park captain Ricky Suvada. Picture: David Crosling

The tally took him to 12 wickets in seven days after impressing against Sunshine and for Essendon under-16s.

“He’s an up-and-coming star, Lachie’s a big boy, bowling fast and I’m sure he’ll be opening the bowling next week or the week after,” Suvada said.

“He played a few games last year but he’s just gotten that bit taller and stronger, he’s shot up a bit in just six months.

“He took four against Sunshine last week, played Essendon under-16s on Friday and took five and another three on Saturday, so he’s taken a few wickets.”

Despite missing out in the opening game, Fitzgerald sits equal second in the Division 1 wicket-taking charts with eight scalps.

The VTCA will hold a Saturday-Sunday double-header this weekend to make up for the Round 1 wash out.

Deer Park currently sits second behind Altona North and will be hoping to keep its undefeated record in tact.

The Lions host winless West Coburg at McLeod Reserve on Saturday before welcoming Altona North in a top-of-the-table clash on Sunday.

A trip to PEGS then awaits in the final game before the Christmas break.

Suvada said the club was keen to atone for last season’s shock semi-final defeat.

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“We’ve definitely got something to prove this season after that disappointing semi-final loss,” he said.

“Especially after beating Sunshine easily during the year, for them to roll us was very disappointing.

“I don’t know too much about West Coburg, we were washed out against them last season, and Altona North seem to be travelling pretty good coming up a division and are sitting on top.

“I know those guys pretty well and there hasn’t been too many changes, so it will be a really good contest.”