Sub-District cricket: Moorabbin’s Luke Ashen and Vishva Wijeratne smashed spectacular centuries
Two Moorabbin batsmen went ballistic as the Binners blasted one of the highest scores in Australasian history for a 45-over match.
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Moorabbin was in a menacing mood in the last round of the Victorian Sub-District season on Saturday.
Ignited by big-hitting opener Luke Ashen and classy No. 3 Vishva Wijeratne, who both cracked centuries, the Binners piled on a massive total of 5-347 off 45 overs against Port Melbourne at Moorleigh Community Village Reserve.
It’s believed to be the second highest total in a 45-over match in Australasia.
Ashen smashed 154 off 83 balls, with 12 sixes and 9 fours, while a more measured Wijeratne crafted 117 off 100 balls, with 1 six and 9 fours.
The two left handers put on 149 for the second wicket, earning high praise from Moorabbin stalwart Alan Marion.
“It was amazing,” he said.
“Luke’s a baseballer and he’s hit or miss, he’ll try and hit the first ball for six. He opens the batting and just goes. He’s got such a good eye.”
Ashen dispatched the third ball he faced into the nearby golf course.
“He just uses his wrists and he puts the ball right out of the park with a flick,” Marion said.
Wijeratne’s hundred was pure class, according to Marion.
“Just a craftsman,” he said of the Sri Lankan star.
“He’ll be in the Victorian sub district combined side. He’s a wicketkeeper batsman, it’s his second hundred in a month. He plays cover drives, beautiful cricket shots.”
Port Melbourne, in reply, was never in the hunt, dismissed for 150 after Damsara Menuwara (3-28) again bowled beautifully.
Moorabbin won three of its last three games to finish in ninth spot, on 48 points.
Marion said the Binners, although they missed finals, took another step forward this season.
“We’ve gone from six points to 39 points, 42 and now 48 - and one rung out of the finals - so we’ve got to do one better next season,” Marion said.
“We’ve improved every year over the past three.”
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