Bat's a record

11/ 9/2007

CRICKETER Dhanuka Pathirana has smashed himself into the record books with an staggering knock of 277 runs – in a Twenty20 match.

The Sri Lankan professional cut, drove, pulled and plundered his way to a total of 29 sixes and 18 fours in a devastating assault while playing for Austerlands.

Vehicles were hit in the car park at Droylsden’s Leafields ground and several balls were lost as the right-hander single-handedly blitzed the home side’s bowling attack.

The Columbo-born all-rounder had not even bothered to take his own bat to the game as he expected the weather to force a bowl-out.

But when the fixture surprisingly started on time, skipper Kevin Du Feu promoted him to opener and told Pathirana a run rate of more than 10-an-over was needed in order for the club to make the semi-finals.

“In the first over I didn’t really force things and just prodded a single to get my partner on strike,” he told the Advertiser.

“But then after three overs or so I really started throwing the bat around and going for everything.

“Everything I hit just seemed to come off the middle of the bat. It was like a dream and I really opened up after I’d got my century and was picking off balls in every direction. There were plenty of noises coming from that car park too – I think I did some serious damage to some of the local’s vehicles!”

Pathirana’s sensational innings – which comprised just 67 scoring shots – sent statisticians scurrying for the record books.

The previous highest individual score in the Saddleworth and District League was 260 by Peter Hutchinson, also of Austerlands, in 2001 – but that was a full league fixture and not the fledgling short code.

Eddie Bayliss, league chairman, said: “This is certainly a league record and you have to think it must be a world record in Twenty20.

“Dhanuka is an excellent batsman and his performances this season have proved that. It’s such a fantastic score that it’s hard to see this record ever being broken at any level.”

Pathirana was caught out slogging in the final over as his side compiled 366-3. Austerlands were subsequently confirmed as victors on a superior run rate when rain intervened with their hosts on 37 for two.

The 25-year-old – whose offbreaks have also snared 45 victims to top his side’s bowling stats this season – played for Sri Lanka A in 2003 and 2006.

This is his second stint at Nursery Field – although he is currently without a club for next term.