A TOTAL of 482 runs from seven innings, averaging 96.40 and striking at 87.16, with two centuries to his name – most cricketers would take that any day of the week, but Geeth Alwis is just getting warmed up.

The Ovens Valley United coach and all-rounder leads the Wangaratta and District Cricket Association A grade batting charts ahead of the season recommencing on January 11, having posted some truly impressive innings to date.

While there’s still half a season to play, Alwis is on track to rewrite the record books, challenging the A grade’s 88-year-old batting aggregate record of 929 runs (822 in season, 107 in finals) set by Charlie Heavey in the 1936/37 season.

The next highest run scorer for the season, Rovers United Bruck opener Charith Perera, sits 159 runs in arrears.

Scores of 89, 46, 15, 140*, 105*, 58 and 29 so far have cemented Alwis as the key wicket for opposition bowlers to take early.

Alwis said a less-encumbered headspace has allowed him to play his brand of uninhibited cricket.

“I’ve had quite a few good seasons in Melbourne, but this year I’m playing cricket freely,” he said.

“I haven’t worked much, I used to work a lot while playing cricket, but once we moved to Myrtleford it’s just free.

“I’m playing cricket like I did back home, just playing.

“That mindset might be getting the most out of me, and with the support I’ve received from the cricket club, players and committee, they’re always backing me, and I’m free to focus on my cricket, and I think that helps me get the performance out.

“Normally I have a good season after Christmas most of the time, that’s when the batters dominate, so I’m expecting to continue this form and win more games for Ovens Valley.”

Alwis’ exploits with the willow have been a rallying cry for the Tigers, who sit third overall at the season midpoint, but he said the team needed stronger batting partnerships if they wanted to enjoy more success.

“I’m quite happy with the way things are turning out as far as myself, but for the team, we haven’t found consistency enough to win,” he said.

“I’m pretty sure with everyone contributing every single game in the one dayers we might reach 200 and in the two-day game maybe 250-300 – that can be done with everyone contributing, and when everyone’s contributing we can win most of the games.

“That’s what I’m expecting from the locals, I want them to improve, I want them to spend time in the middle, build an innings and bat around when we’re batting in the middle and take the game forward.

“That’s how they can be a very good team in the future, that’s what my aim is in the next four or five years, to become one of the best teams in the comp.”

On top of his Bradman-esque batting numbers, the left-arm offspinner is third overall in the wicket-taking charts, having snared 12 poles at 9.17 with a miserly economy rate of 2.21.

“I missed one game without bowling because of the injury to my index finger, and that hurt because the Rovers scored about 250 and we were about 60-70 runs behind in that game,” he said.

“Contributing is always good, everyone’s happy because as long as you perform, people enjoy.”

The Tigers will be back in action on Saturday, January 11 against Wangaratta Magpies for the first of four home fixtures.