Preston lose star spinner Mahesh Kodamullage, snare young paceman
Preston will be without star spinner Mahesh Kodamullage for the 2020-21 Subbies campaign but have gained young paceman Marcus Murphy after dominating the DVCA for the past two seasons.
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An immigration issue has robbed Preston of leading all-rounder Mahesh Kodamullage.
Kodamullage finished the 2019-20 season as the second highest wicket-taker in the VSDCA North-South group but will have to live in NSW for the next 12 months in order to gain permanent residency.
It is a major blow to the Bullants after the dangerous spinner bagged 28 scalps at an average of 15.93 to win the club best-and-fairest in his first season with the club.
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The former Sri Lanka international added 169 runs – fourth most at the club – after crossing from Diamond Valley association outfit Bundoora.
Kodamullage said it was disappointing to leave the club and hoped to return when his immigration status was cleared up.
“Unfortunately, I have to go up there (NSW) to fix my visa,” he said.
“It’s been a good club and I think last season was my best in Australia, so it’s really disappointing to be leaving.
“The coach, Alex Lewis, and president, Stephen Wilson, have been great during my time at the club.”
Kodamullage will take on a senior assistant coaching role with Albury Cricket Club and head the club’s junior academy.
Preston will look to fill the void with promising paceman Marcus Murphy.
Murphy, 24, has will step up to Subbies after taking 28 wickets in each of the past two seasons for DVCA club Epping.
“We are very excited to see this young bloke make an impact in his first season of the VSDCA,” the club wrote on its Facebook page.
Murphy joins an exciting young attack at Preston City Oval, headlined by young spinner Althaf Nizam and pace trio Liam Ingram, Tom Boddy and Tom Downes.
Nizam took 17 wickets at 20.47 in nine games in his debut First XI season, while Ingram claimed 14 scalps to round out the top three at Preston.
The Bullants appointed club stalwart Luke Bramich as senior coach in May.
The batsman had previously been assistant coach, director of cricket and served as club captain.