VSDCA 2018-19: St Bernard’s all-rounder Arosh Janoda eyeing shock return from foot injury
Star all-rounder Arosh Janoda could make a shock return from a foot injury this weekend as St Bernard’s fights to regain its place in the VSDCA top six.
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Star all-rounder Arosh Janoda could make a shock return from a foot injury this weekend as St Bernard’s fights to regain its place in the VSDCA top six.
The Sri Lankan, who took 38 wickets last summer, has not featured for the Snowdogs since Round 6 and was expected to be sidelined until at least the latter rounds of 2018-19.
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The club is awaiting doctor’s advice on whether Janoda could play as a batsman, conceding the paceman was only a remote chance of bowling again this season.
“We don’t want to run the risk of more serious damage,” Snowdogs coach Nigel Freebairn said.
“When the injury occurred and knowing how these things happen, that was sort of season-ending from a bowling perspective.
“But because he’s a two-dimensional player with ability to do damage with bat and ball, he’s still of use to us.”
Janoda made 48 against Kew in Round 3 and 75 against Endeavour Hills in Round 4.
“He hits a long, long way. He made 100 last year opening,” Freebairn said.
“He’s certainly good enough (to play as a batsman).”
Janoda compiled 317 runs at an average of 28.8 last summer, including a century in the last round against Ivanhoe.
Freebairn said St Bernard’s would take a cautious approach with Janoda’s possible return.
“He has been champing at the bit to play earlier but we have had to pull him back and hold him back to ensure that we took the medical advice on board,” Freebairn said.
“To ensure we could use him in some capacity, rather than him coming back early and it being season-ending.”
St Bernard’s, which sits ninth in the North-East group, takes on Croydon in a one-day fixture on Saturday.
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