Waratah playing-coach Udara Weerasinghe likens Warriors’ revival to going from ‘zero to heroes’ in Darwin Premier Grade

WARATAH playing-coach Udara Weerasinghe went over to the Warriors from Nightcliff earlier this year when the club didn’t even have 20 players. Now, the Gardens Oval team is the 2020 Darwin Premier Grade minor premiership victor, and it is one win away from the final.

Waratah captain Isaac Conway holds the winners’ trophy aloft after the Darwin T20 cricket final between the Warriors and Southern Districts in June. Picture: CHE CHORLEY

WARATAH playing-coach Udara Weerasinghe had no shortage of motivation which spurred him on to the 2020 Darwin Premier Grade minor premiership title.

The job is not yet done, with the Warriors to take on Darwin in the 1 v 4 semi-final at Gardens Oval on Saturday, but what a turnaround it has been for the Red Caps.

This time last year the club was on the brink of extinction, and a top-grade outfit for 2020 was looking unlikely.

Twelve months later it is now the Top End’s minor premiership-winning outfit, with just two losses from 12 games, Weerasinghe labelling it “going from zero to heroes”.

Isaac Conway and James Seymour – with 452 and 407 runs apiece – finished in the competition’s top five for total runs scored.

And offspinner Weerasinghe finished the top wicket-taker with 24 scalps.

The 38-year-old allrounder had his fair share of doubters when he crossed over to Waratah from Nightcliff in the off-season, linking Tahs with Ceylon Warriors, and bringing plenty of Sri Lankan talent with him.

Late ruckman Alex Aurrichio’s best mate Tom Fields to play in an emotional NTFL season opener, Zach Westerberg looks fit again

New Waratah women’s playing-coach Lisa Roberts says a new generation will keep the team up the top of the NTFL competition

Nightcliff recruit Jacob Thorne stars with the bat in his first taste of Darwin cricket

“This club has gone from zero to heroes,” Weerasinghe told the NT News.

“A lot of people thought we were just trying to make up our own agenda.

“But we’ve shown how capable we are on the field, as well as creating positive interactions with our communities.

“To do that you need people to trust you, and I think I’ve built up that trust.”

Weerasinghe said Waratah had “less than 20 players” when he came across from the Tigers.

“Now we’ve got over 130 players. And this weekend our A, B, C and two E-grade teams will be playing in the finals.

“Our D-grade side was the only team to miss out after this club could’ve died last year.

“We’ve embraced multiculturalism, and in today’s world that is the way to go.

“Everyone is involved and supporting each other, and embracing the Australian lifestyle.

“We’ve also had discussions with Rohan Langworthy the president of Waratah Football Club, and we’re building a strong relationship with them.

“We want to be one big, strong family with people who play sport in good spirits, and who are good citizens.”

Darwin Premier Grade cricket’s minor premiership winning player-coach, Udara Weerasinghe. Picture GLENN CAMPBELL

A key to Waratah’s success this year has been its near-unstoppable spin combination.

Weerasinghe has combined well with fellow tweakers, his brother Madura Weerasinghe and James Seymour (16 wickets each), and Ishara Gange (nine).

“Our spin combination helped us win the T20 tournament earlier this year, right up until our last game,” Weerasinghe said.

“Our seamer Himesh Sandaradura was good for us last game (taking 5-12 in Waratah’s 10-wicket thrashing over Southern Districts).

“And our new young guy Samindra Madushan has impressed everyone (with 15 wickets and 205 runs).

“But I’ve been impressed with everyone in this team this year.”