Sunbury United secure Upul Fernando as coach for 2020-21 GDCA season
Sunbury United’s capture of former Sri Lanka first class batsman Upul Fernando as coach has given the Bees arguably the strongest batting line-up in the GDCA.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport . Followed categories will be added to My News.
Sunbury United will boast arguably the strongest batting line-up in the Gisborne District Cricket Association this season after luring Upul Fernando as club coach.
Fernando arrives from Diggers Rest Bulla where he knocked up 416 runs at an average of 46 in 2019-20, ranking him the eighth most prolific batsman in the competition.
The former Sri Lanka first class wicketkeeper-batsman will join Adam Dudderidge and Dilan Chandima in the Bees top order.
GDCA: GISBORNE’S ALLEN CLAIMS SULLIVAN MEDAL HONOUR
LEADER: GET YOUR LOCAL CRICKET NEWS HERE
VTCA: RESTRUCTURE STREAMLINES VTCA COMPETITION
Dudderidge finished the home-and-away season second on the run-scorers’ list with 654 runs, while Chandima was fourth with 594 runs.
Sunbury United finished third last season, losing to Fernando’s Burras by 79 runs in the semi-final.
Fernando brings a wealth of experience to the club having played Sri Lanka A and spent 15 years as a professional in England.
ðŸ The club would like to announce that Upul Fernando has accepted the position of 2020/2021 Senior Club Coach! ðŸ
— Sunbury United CC (@Sunburyunitedcc) July 9, 2020
Upul or ‘Upi’s coaching and playing resume is second to none and we are so excited to have him at the healm.
Congrats Upi and welcome to SUCC! #TheHive pic.twitter.com/Gn0ya8kCHy
The new coach has high hopes for the Bees in 2020-21.
“They made the semi-final last year so I want to at least get into the McIntryre (Shield) final,” Fernando said.
“We’ve got a lot of talent in Sunbury and one of my other goals is to help them achieve their own goals as well.
“I want to share my experience with the juniors and seniors to help develop their games.”
The Bees’ semi-final loss was the club’s first McIntyre Shield finals appearance since the club’s 2014-15 premiership.
Fernando leaves Diggers Rest Bulla after two seasons, amassing more than 400 runs in each campaign.
He saved his best for Sunbury United, scoring two half-centuries last season and joining Indika Massalage for a record-breaking 203-run partnership in the Round 6 clash.
It was probably no surprise then when United came calling, with Fernando keen to sink his teeth into a new challenge.
“I’ve been coaching for almost 20 years now and I needed a different challenge,” he said.
“I want to pass my skill and experience on and Sunbury were keen to get me across.”
COVID-19 robbed Diggers Rest Bulla of a shot at the premiership, with the GDCA forced to cancel the grand final without a ball being bowled, awarding the title to undefeated minor premier Gisborne.