Thimira Jayasinghe, Marcus Murphy star as Preston upset Williamstown
Plucked from synthetic cricket, Preston’s new opener is making an early impression on the Subbies season, helping the Bullants upset Williamstown.
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Preston opening batsman Thimira Jayasinghe has announced himself as an early Subbies recruit of the season contender.
The star batsman joined the Bullants from North Metro Cricket Association outfit Holy Trinity but has stepped up to VSDCA level with ease.
Jayasinghe scored a match-winning 84 and claimed a wicket on Saturday as Preston opened their North-West group account with an impressive upset victory over Williamstown.
The Bullants chased down the Towners’ 8-174 with seven wickets and four overs in hand at Preston City Oval.
Preston captain Michael Hayes has been nothing but impressed with Jayasinghe since his arrival.
“TJ showed he’s a pretty good player, I knew we were getting a quality batsman,” he said.
“Some players are just suited to playing on turf, synthetic is a different game.
“He’s played his whole life on turf and then come over here and played on synthetic it’s a bit foreign to him.
“He didn’t bowl a ball last year at Holy Trinity and he took a wicket for us yesterday, he’s a good leg spinner as well.”
Jayasinghe claimed Holy Trinity’s Jika Shield batting crown last season with 458 runs and an average of 32 in 12 matches.
He also top scored in the Round 1 loss to Brunswick with 37.
Fellow off-season recruits Marcus Murphy and Upul Bandera also played important roles.
Arriving from Diamond Valley club Epping, Murphy was the best of the bowlers as his 3-25 – including the key wicket of Brent McMinn – helped contain a strong Williamstown line-up.
Bandera, 32 not out, then guided Preston home.
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Hayes said the evenness of this season’s competition meant there were no days off.
“Every side will give themselves a chance on any given day,” he said.
“Kew are an outstanding side, they’re the team to beat clearly, but against anyone else you give yourself a chance if you play well.
“We didn’t play well (last week) and when you don’t play to your potential good teams punish you.
“After losing the first one, to beat a pretty good side in Williamstown was really good, and next week we’ve got Plenty Valley who had a good win themselves.”
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