A return to bowling spin was a big part of Sunshine’s Pramud Hettiwatte’s rise to one of the best players in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association Isaacs Howarth’s best players.
Hettiwatte was named joint player of the year for division 1 alongside Altona Roosters’ Nadeera Thuppahi in his first season in the competition.
Currently over in England playing cricket, Hettiwatte was shocked when he learned he had won the medal.
‘It feels good,” he said. “I had no clue and one of my teammates sent me a picture from the awards ceremony.
“I knew I was in there with a chance. A little bit of a shock to be number one.”
Hettiwatte said he had a good run this season, with the medal a bit bittersweet after the Crows lost in the grand final.
He said he was looking for a club to play this season, when Crows coach Shafraz Mohamed contacted him about coming across.
Hettiwatte said he would only be a batter, and not bowl as he had a finger injury that had prevented him from bowling.
“He was like, you have to bowl, just try it,” he said. “I tried to bowl and it all happened nicely.
“Troy [Stone] and Shaf pushed me to bowl spin again. I couldn’t bowl spin for like two years. I was really happy to bowl spin again.
“I feel confident as well.”
Hettiwatte finished with 30 wickets for the season, as well as having a good season with the bat.
As well as playing for Sunshine, Hettiwatte would play for Berwick Strikers on Sundays making it a big weekend of cricket each week.
“Pretty much tired on Sundays, then Monday mornings it was pretty hard to go to work.”
Hettiwatte is playing his third season in England.
He said he just wants to keep playing more cricket.
Hettiwatte said he hopefully will be back next season playing with Sunshine and helping the side go one step further.
Hettiwatte was also named in the team of the year, as was PEGS Shakeem Clarke.
In the senior division, Sydenham-Hillside all-rounder Anthony Alleyne claimed the association’s highest honour, the Roy Paxino Medal.
The new Storm coach claimed the medal as the best player in the senior division on Friday night at the association’s awards night.
Alleyne claimed the medal ahead of Airport West St Christophers Ben Walkden, with Deer Park’s Aaron Ayre and Fawad Ahmed along with St Albans’ Akila Isanka finishing equal third.
Alleyne said it was nice recognition to claim the Paxino Medal.
“It is a great honour,” he said. “I think over the past few seasons I’ve done well and I’ve been rewarded for consistency.
“I’m just thrilled. It’s reward for my teammates and club members as well.”
Alleyne was named in the team of the year alongside teammate Cam West, Deer Park duo Ayre and Ahmed and the Saints’ Isanka.
In other awards, Burnside Springs United’s Shohan Rangier claimed the Russell Pollock Shield player of the year.
