Victorian Sub-District Cricket: The key men behind Elsternwick’s 5-0 start

Star spinners, emerging batters and a player with “lots of tricks” is fuelling Elsternwick’s undefeated start to the Subbies season.

Elsternwick leg spinner Zac Grundmann-Perera has taken 11 wickets in five games. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Elsternwick captain LJ Edwards says his side’s 5-0 start to the VSDCA season has exceeded expectations.

Elsty thrashed Ivanhoe on Saturday to join Ormond and Caulfield as the only undefeated sides in the north-south section.

“We finished off last season pretty well, we started to gel,” Edwards said.

“So we were pretty confident that we would be more competitive this year but I don’t think we expected five wins in a row.”

Elsternwick’s spin bowlers have sparkled this season, especially off-spinner Kalhan Sineth, who has been opening the bowling.

Sineth put the clamps on Ivanhoe on Saturday, nabbing 1-15 off seven overs as the home side was dismissed for 103.

“He’s been awesome for us so far,” Edwards said.

“He’s taken 14 wickets in the first five games. He’s been our glue with the ball.”

Edwards said Elsternwick’s tactic of opening the bowling with Sineth was working a treat.

“It’s a bit different to what a lot of teams are doing and maybe it’s caught some guys off guard,” he said.

Elsternwick’s Dasun Opanayaka has started the season brilliantly with bat and ball. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Sineth and Dasun Opanayaka (3-25 off 8.1 overs) bowled beautifully with the new ball as Ivanhoe slumped to 3-25.

Edwards said Opanayaka was a crafty medium pacer with “lots of tricks”. And his batting in the middle order has been outstanding this season; he’s scored 191 runs, at 63.7.

Kalapu Gamage kept the pressure on Ivanhoe with a superb spell of 1-5 off five overs.

Leg spinner Zac Grundmann-Perera underlined his importance with 3-32 off nine overs, taking his season tally to 11 wickets. He’s also a dangerous opening bat.

In reply, Elsternwick made a shaky start, slumping to 4-42.

But Opanayaka (39no off 62 balls, with 4 fours) and Cameron Christiansen (24no off 54, with 3 fours) combined for an unconquered 63-run partnership to steer Elsty to victory in the 28th over.

Cameron Christiansen.

Dasun Opanayaka.

Edwards said someone has stepped up with the bat in each game and “done the job for us”.

“Joel Menzies has been awesome, Cooper Davies has won us a game and Dasun Opanayaka has really hit his straps early,” he said.

“He (Opanayaka) makes a massive difference when he’s bowling well and batting well for us.

“And I guess what’s a positive is that some of our danger batsmen haven’t really fired yet. Hopefully we can get them firing and then we can try and get everything to click.”

Rick Damiano blazed 62 off 59 balls (8 fours) to set up Brighton’s 96-run win over Moorabbin.

The Tonners’ top order fired, with Peter Cassidy (30), Robbie Salerni (34), Cooper Bingham (42 off 25) and Charles Dowling (37 off 27) in mint form.

In reply, Moorabbin was dismissed for 134, with Brighton new ball bowler Luke Shimmin taking 4-53.

Former Zimbabwean batter Solomon Mire cracked 30 off 22 balls (3 fours, 2 sixes) on debut for Malvern.

His blast at the top of the list helped the Roosters rush past St Bernard’s 149 in the 25th over, making 6-150. Tom Rickarby top scored with 43.

*Port Melbourne legend Chris Sewell played his 500th game of senior cricket on Saturday. He played in the Second XI and Port had a win.