Ex-Sri Lankan first-class spinner takes 8-27 in MPCA Sub-District

A spin bowling masterclass lit up a gloomy Saturday as a Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association club Rye secured a vital victory. A flag contender also banked a win.

Ravi Palleguruge took 8-27. Picture Valeriu Campan

His bowling figures tell a story of utter domination.

Rye’s left-arm spinner Ravi Palleguruge captured 8-27 off 30.5 overs — including 17 maidens — to mastermind a crucial win for the Demons over Ballam Park as rain tumbled down in MPCA Sub-District on Saturday.

“He was exceptional,” Rye skipper Adam Ciavarella said.

“He didn’t turn a ball all day because it was that wet but just varied his length and his pace.”

While most matches were washed out, Rye and Ballam Park took to the field to complete the two-day match at Rowley Reserve.

Rye made 183 last week and Ballam Park was eager to chase.

“Both teams wanted to play,” Ciavarella said.

“And the umpire was happy to get involved.”

The Knights made a solid start, reaching 2-65, but Palleguruge’s relentless pressure proved telling. The visitors were dismissed for 108.

Opener Pubudu Edirisinghe top scored for the Ballam Park with 37 while No. 7 Tom Carey made 18.

But the day belonged to Palleguruge, 39, who took 220 wickets in 76 first-class games in Sri Lanka.

“He’s probably been due,’’ Ciavarella said.

“He hasn’t taken a lot of wickets this year so he was due for a good day. He’s bowled well all year.’’

The RPPFM cricket commentary team was all set up at the MPCA cricket game between Heatherhill and Baden Powell at Bruce Park on Saturday. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Palleguruge’s haul of 8-27 haul was his best figures in Australia although it wasn’t a career-best.

In a first-class match in Sri Lanka Pelleguruge once took eight wickets in the first innings and then four in the second for 12 for the match.

The win was Rye’s second this season, lifting it to sixth spot.

“We were desperate to play,’’ Ciavarella said. “We had to roll the dice after we lost round one in the rain when no one else played, so we were that half game behind everyone else. And plus we haven’t really been winning anyway.

“We were really positive. It’s massive to get that half game back that we lost in round one and to just get a bit of form going again. We’ve been playing okay. But it’s great just to get the winning feeling again.’’

As rain tumbled down, games all around the peninsula were called off.

But there was one other Subbies game that played. Delacombe Park beat Mt Martha, the Parkers taking only 36 overs to make 3-157 to pass the Reds’ 155. Jonny Guthrie (50), Andrew Christides (32) and Andy Perry (55) led the charge.

Heatherhill and Baden Powell players sit around at Bruce Park on Saturday before play was washed out. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Meanwhile, Rye will unleash suburban master blaster Zac Rattray in its T20 match against Flinders at Rowley Reserve on Tuesday afternoon.

Rattray clattered 23 sixes in an innings of 208 off 72 balls for Cheltenham Park in 2020 and 29 sixes in a knock of 229 off 65 balls against East Oakleigh.

“He came down to training,’’ Ciavarella said. “Geez he hits a hard ball, he almost put one on Melbourne Rd straight into the wind.’’