Yohan Maddege - stay positive
Baxter Cricket Club | October 17, 2023
Yohan Maddege fell in love with the game of cricket growing up in Sri Lanka and playing for his school under age teams. Yohan is now playing for Baxter Cricket Club as a leg spinner.
Let’s find out more about Johan’s journey in the game
What year you were born?
1996
Can you remember you first game of cricket?
I was 11 years old and batted no 6 and scored 23 not out off 104 balls and took one wicket
Tell us briefly about your cricketing journey?
I started my cricket career at school, Karandeniya Central College and captained the U13, U15, U17, and U19 teams. We won the U19 in 2014/15 and I was fortunate the best awarded the best all-rounder at an all island school tournament.
I went to Navy Cricket C in 2015 playing U23 premier 3 day tournament and I came Baxter with Chami 2017
Seenigama CC, Navy CC, Baxter CC Berwick Stickers (Sunday comp) and Frankston Peninsula
In which grade and at what age did you make your debut in senior cricket?
I was 17, in Division for Seenigama Cricket Club
What was the highest grade you played and can you remember what you were feeling when you were selected and how did you perform on debut?
U 23 Premier against Tamil Union and 2nd Grade for Frankston Peninsula
If you can share with our audience, how would you describe yourself as a cricketer?
I’m an opening batter. First year at Baxter I was a top order batsman but I made only 108 runs for the season but I took 29 wickets bowling leg spin and won the league best average for the season.
What were your strengths as a player?
Leg spinner
What was your highest score in senior cricket?
59 against Redhill at Baxter
What were your best bowling figures in senior cricket?
6/36 against Pearcedale
Who were the best three fast bowlers you have played against?
Lahiru Kumara - when I was playing U23 in Sri Lanka he was bowling 140km plus
Chamika Sattambi
Trav Campbell
Who were the best three spinners you have played against?
Wanindu Hasaranga – he’s the world number T20 bowler at the moment
John Forrest - not much spin but enough for take a wicket
Matt Prosser - slower leg spinner, good accuracy and patience
Who were the best 3 batsman you’ve played against?
Daniel Warwick and Chris Britain they are both guns
Wade Pelzer - consistent
Ben Clements - greatest player I’ve ever played against
Who played the best innings you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Ben Clements - 186 against us at Mornington, classy bat
Who was the best wicket keeper you’ve seen firsthand playing with or against?
Daniel Lanati playing with and Tom Labroy playing aginst
Who are the two players you admired most in terms of skills and competitive spirit in the competitions you played?
Justin Grant and Bobby Wilson
Who was the best captain you had the good fortune to play with?
Daniel Warwick- great person, helped me every time when I’m bowling
Who has been your funniest team mate?
Todd Quinn
Who was your childhood hero?
Mahela Jayawardana
Who are the three sports people in the world you’d most like to meet?
Michael Clarke, Shane Warne, Christiano Ronaldo
Who’s your favourite cricket commentator?
Russell Arnold
What was your favourite ground to play at?
Lords
What’s been your most memorable moment in cricket?
Lost semi-final against Langwarrin and Chami took 8 wickets including a hat trick
What’s the best win you’ve been involved with?
Against Sorrento in my first season with Baxter we made 133 and Sorrento were 1-45 after the first day and all out for 127 – I took 6-61 off 30 overs
Who are the three players from your playing days at the top of the list for a Saturday afternoon barbeque?
Chamika, Daniel Lanati, Daniel Warwick
What are your hobbies?
Just cricket
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
If you can stay positive in a negative situation you win
