Perera inspires Christmas miracle win
A BRILLIANT all-round performance from Waurn PondsDeakin vice-captain Mayuku Perera has helped the Eagles stun St Albans Breakwater to record its first win of the season.
The breakthrough 134-run victory pushes Waurn PondsDeakin off the bottom of the ladder.
It was the Sri Lankan-born Perera who was the hero, crashing a century off just 108 balls opening the batting, and then claiming five wickets in the perfect all-rounder’s game.
“I batted with Mayuku for a little bit and you don’t feel too good at the other end when he’s just smoking everything,” joked acting captain Matt Wescombe.
“But he just plays quality cricket shots all day, and it really is a pleasure to watch.”
In doing so, Perera brought up his 400th run of the season across all formats.
“With his bowling, you know what you’re going to get from him,” Wescombe said.
“You can bring him on and know he’s going to put it on that spot and with a couple of change ups, you’re confident it’ll get most batsman.”
Perera gave Waurn Ponds a rollicking start, still playing his shots aggressively despite the early departures of opening partner Indushan Dinuka (16) and Wescombe (two).
Perera then combined with Jarred Daniel (25) for a crucial 99-run partnership and brought up his stunning century soon after.
Following his dismissal to the consistent Jonah Graham (2-37), Balarammahanti Abhishek added some late impetus, finding the fence with regularity to finish the innings with a flurry, ending with 34 off just 23 balls. With the bat, St Albans Breakwater only had co-captain Aaron Rethus (47) and Rhett Smith (24) to reach double figures as the Supersaints were bundled out for a disappointing 134 in under 40 overs, a performance that was at odds with some recent good form that has lifted them into the top four.
The day belonged to the Eagles and Perera however, who Wescombe believes gives everyone extra belief that they can compete with sides nearer the top half of the table.
“When he gets going everyone sort of stands up and says ‘let’s go with him’. He’s brilliant to watch,” Wescombe said. “The little patches that we were down were getting shorter. On the weekend we got it all together.
“When someone comes out and does what Mayuku has done, you’re not going to lose many games.”