VSDCA 2018-19: Ivanhoe recruit Kasun Adikari leading runscorer in North/East group
Ivanhoe recruit Kasun Adikari has quickly made a name for himself in the VSDCA this season, hitting nine half-centuries from just 12 innings.
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It’s been a common sight in the VSDCA this season.
Ivanhoe recruit Kasun Adikari has raised his bat for a half-century in nine of his 12 knocks in 2018-19, leading the North/East group run charts.
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Coming off a strong season with UK club Eagley in the Bolton Cricket League, where he carved out 894 runs, Adikari has continued his fine form Down Under.
The talented left-hander started his campaign with scores of 51, 50 and 89 not out before knocks of 53, 63, 53 not out, 55 not out, 95 and 61, tallying 597 runs at 74.63.
Adikari, who has 46 First Class games under his belt with Sri Lankan domestic club Chilaw Marians, rated this summer as his best season with the bat.
“When I was starting the season, I just wanted to be the best batsman of the league. I just want to continue with that in the next few games,” Adikari said.
“I just wanted to get some experience for myself, that’s why I came over here.
“My target is to play for Sri Lanka and I think this will help me get in the national team.”
But Adikari’s rich vein of form has also had an element of frustration. He is yet to post a triple-figure score, falling five runs short when he hit 95 in the Round 9 defeat against Plenty Valley before being dismissed for 61 against Endeavour Hills on Saturday.
“I just want to get a hundred … four games left so I’m looking forward to getting a hundred. I’m very disappointed about that,” he said.
Adikari has also provided an option with the ball this summer, taking 12 wickets, including the best figures of 4-22 from 7.1 overs in Round 6, with his left-arm orthodox spin.
Ivanhoe captain Raza Rizwan backed Adikari to reach triple-figures before the season’s conclusion.
“We’ve spoken about that but it is not far away at all,” Rizwan said.
“He’s nice and patient and will wait for the ball to get in his zone and he’ll capitalise, but I think he’s shown he can vary his game according to the situation.
“He is definitely a natural strokemaker but he has come in at times where there are wickets falling around him so he’ll consolidate and build.
“Once he gets himself established, then he looks to be more expansive.”
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