VTCA cricket: Sunshine signs Kaushal Lokuarachchi and Thilina Masmulla

Sunshine has locked in two big recruits as it chases a spot in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association’s top flight.

Kaushal Lokuarachchi sends one down last season. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Sunshine has secured two of the Victorian Turf Cricket Association’s most decorated players in a stunning recruiting coup.

Former Sri Lanka all-rounder Kaushal Lokuarachchi has arrived from Senior Division premier Sunshine United, while ex-first-class player Thilina Masmulla has crossed from St Albans.

The pair will bolster a Crows line-up which advanced to the Division 1 grand final series in their first season in the VTCA’s second tier.

But captain-coach Troy Stone said the club needed players with experience in big games as it chases a spot in the competition’s top flight.

Sunshine went down 0-2 to Craigieburn in the best-of-three grand final series, posting scores of 86 and 58 in performances Stone described as “really disappointing”.

“The high-end experience is what we’re looking for and we just didn’t make enough runs throughout the year,” Stone said.

“We’re looking to win a premiership and make no bones about that after the disappointment of last season.

“As a club, we knew we weren’t quite ready to go up to Senior Division, but we’ve gone out and recruited basically for that for the next two or three years.

“Positive signs ahead, but by no means is the job done. We’ve got to go out there and win games and be competitive and still have that hunger to win.”

Sunshine captain-coach Troy Stone. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Lokuarachchi (2018-19) and Masmulla (2012-13) have both claimed the VTCA’s highest individual honour, the Paxino Medal, while at former clubs Keilor and South Caulfield respectively.

Lokuarachchi was also crowned the Tony Isaacs medallist for the best player in the second tier in 2015-16.

He represented Sri Lanka 27 times at the elite level across Test matches, one-dayers and T20 internationals.

Lokuarachchi spent six summers with the Blues before crossing to Sunshine United, where he contributed 251 runs and 14 wickets in 2020-21.

In 113 matches for Keilor across all formats, he logged 3315 runs at 30.69 and 173 wickets at 18.28 apiece.

Masmulla was the third most prolific batsman in Senior Division last season, plundering 532 runs at 44.3, including five half-centuries.

He has only had one season of less than 495 runs since arriving in the VTCA’s top grade in 2012-13 and is also a capable spinner.

Sunshine has enjoyed a remarkable run of success in the VTCA since crossing from the VSDCA in 2016-17.

The Crows started in Division 4 and made the semi-finals in their first campaign before claiming three consecutive premierships in a swift rise to Division 1.

Stone said the club would add “bit part” players over coming months in a bid to create fierce competition for spots and strengthen the Second XI side, with Tom Weston and Ravindu Dilshan departing.

“We couldn’t have gone about our last four years any better,” he said.

“But we want to play Senior Division and we’ve gone out and targeted that. If it’s not this season, then hopefully the following year. As a club off-field, we’re really stable and that’s what we’re looking for.”