Preston hopes to replicate last season’s success with another hidden gem
After producing two of the recruits of the season in 2020-21, Preston believes its found another hidden gem in an unknown spinner.
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Preston produced two of the recruits of the VSDCA season in 2021-22 and hope to uncover another hidden gem this year.
The Bullants have signed Charith Sudaraka from North Metro club Northern Socials, looking to replicate the success of Thimira Jayasinghe and Sajith Kalumpriya.
Jayasinghe was recruited from NMCA club Holy Trinity and finished Preston’s top run-scorer with 362 at an average of 30.17.
Kalumpriya was plucked from Footscray United in VTCA Division 4 before scoring 348 runs at 31.64 to go with 13 catches and three stumpings as wicketkeeper.
Marcus Murphy was another success story, claiming 20 wickets after crossing from Epping in the Diamond Valley association.
Preston hopes Sudaraka can have a similar impact stepping up to Subbies.
The off-spinner took nine wickets and scored a half-century in five Jika Shield appearances last season.
In 35 appearances over three seasons with Northern Socials he claimed 66 scalps at an average of 12.68, helping the club win the Quick Shield premiership in 2019-20.
Newly elected Preston president Michael Hayes said the club had developed a strong relationship with the Sri Lankan community in recent seasons and Sudaraka was the latest addition.
“He’s a very good left-arm off-spinner, he’s going to be very handy,” Hayes said.
“We’re going down the same path as last year, getting a few that people have no idea on and seeing if we can’t find a couple of jackpots. TJ and Sajith were both local cricketers before last year.
“Everyone knows spinners are priceless, we saw what Mahesh (Kodamullage) did a couple of years ago, good spinners take wickets in Subbies.”
After finishing fourth in the North-West group last season, the club’s first VSDCA finals appearance since 2012-13.
The Bullants bowed out after a qualifying final loss to Plenty Valley combined with Werribee’s upset win over Brunswick.
The club will have to rebuild its list this season with Jayasinghe returning to Sri Lanka and Liam Inghram, Gurnaz Khatra and leading Second XI wicket-taker Kai Turner signing for Premier club Fitzroy-Doncaster.
However, the club is confident its depth will keep the club in finals contention after winning the Second XI premiership last season.
Hayes said the three players stepping up to Premier Cricket and the club’s First and Second XI success last season gave it plenty of momentum for the new campaign.
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“It gives you a good idea as to where the club is in producing Premier cricketers,” he said.
“When the twos win the flag you know you’ve got good depth. There’s definitely a lot of good things to come from that Second XI.
“Last year was a positive but also frustrating that we didn’t win a final.”
Preston is scheduled to kick off its campaign with the Battle of Bell Street against Coburg at Preston City Oval on October 2.
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