Tara Murray
Point Cook Centrals have jumped at the opportunity to test themselves in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association division 4 this season.
The Sharks, who changed their name from Sanctuary Lakes in the off season, are one of two clubs that have been promoted from division 5 to division 4 due to structure changes.
The Sharks and Melton South Royals will join both division 5 grand finalists from last season East Coburg and Footscray Angliss in the higher grade.
Club vice-president and senior captain Brett Talbot said they didn’t hesitate when they had the chance to move up the grades.
“About a month ago, the VTCA came to us and said the opportunity was there and did we want to do it,” he said.
“There are no guarantees in life, but it was a great opportunity to test ourselves. There were one or two fortunate teams and we were one of them.”
Talbot said the opportunity recognised the work that had been done at the club the last few years.
He said the seniors were making progress, having made finals last season, while their second and third XIs and under-18s were getting plenty of wins too.
The club’s female program is also going from strength to strength.
The Sharks had already strengthened their squad in the off season for a real tilt at the division 5 premiership, with Talbot saying they believed they would be competitive in the higher grade.
“We have had five signings this year which has helped,” he said. “Going up a division we want to have a real red hot crack and we want to challenge at the higher level.”
Ashen Perera joins the club from North Metro Cricket Association club Rosebank, having previously played with Sunshine.
He is a strong fast bowler, with best bowling figures of 5-17 and is seen as an excellent athlete and accomplished batsmen.
Puneesh Sharma joins the club having captained another VTCA side the past few seasons.
He is another bowler, who is capable of providing some batting depth.
Rasanjana Don Arachchige joins the club from East Keilor, having previously won the division 3 player of the year award.
Saroos Jazeem returns for a second season in Australia, as a top-middle order batter and an excellent fielder.
Dimantha Fernando is the other signing for the Sharks, joining the club as a wicketkeeper and top order batsman.
He has a top score of 230 not out and compiled in excess of 350 runs per year the past two seasons.
Talbot said the addition of these players would help strengthen all their senior sides.
He said they had a talented bunch of 14-15-year-olds, who should start progressing into the seniors the next 24 months.
