
WHEN Telge Peiris arrived at Dennington this past season, there was a sense of quiet excitement brewing.
Now, cricket fans are starting to see why.
Peiris leads the Warrnambool and District Cricket Association's run-scoring charts after three rounds and is vying to replicate his 400-run, 40-wicket campaign at Melbourne club Flemington from two years ago.
Dogs captain Shannon Beks said Peiris, a Sri Lankan national, had embraced more responsibility in 2021-22.
We probably lost a few experienced batters at the end of last season and he's taken on that bit more responsibility.
- Telge Peiris
"He's been a bit of a rock for us," Beks said.
"We probably lost a few experienced batters at the end of last season and he's taken on that bit more responsibility.
"Even last year he got some starts but never really went on. He's a pretty talented player - he bowls decent offies too - and is a good cricketer to have on your team."
Beks said Peiris had several standout traits in the early stages of 2021-22.
"He's been timing the ball really well," he said.

"I think last year he was sort of all or nothing really but he's sort of taken the next step this season and has been rotating the strike really well and has spent a bit of time batting with a few of our younger fellas which has set a pretty good example for them in regards to building an innings."
Dennington is mid-table on one win and two losses after three rounds.
Beks said he'd seen encouraging signs so far and felt his side's triumph over Port Fairy on Saturday was its most complete performance of the season to date.
"It was good to get a win with a pretty young side and build from here. We were pretty pumped," he said.
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Nick Ansell
Nick Ansell is a sports journalist at the Warrnambool Standard.
Nick Ansell is a sports journalist at the Warrnambool Standard.