Adelaide University captain Ben Wakim huge Twenty20 score and eighth-straight unbeaten century

Adelaide University opener Ben Wakim is not the type of batsman to throw his wicket away when he reaches a ton. In fact, the Blacks skipper holds a phenomenal stat in grade cricket. That and more in your local cricket wrap, Thrash Talk.

Adelaide University batsman Ben Wakim is an opener who values his wicket, having made eight unbeaten centuries since joining the club. Picture: AAP/James Elsby

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Welcome to Thrash Talk, your weekly fix of all things quirky in Adelaide cricket.

Whether it is a big score, a terrible run chase, notable on and off-field stories or anything in between, Chris “Thrasher” Farrant and the Messenger Community News sports team will bring you several tidbits each Tuesday.

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Here is what caught our eye at the weekend:

BEN WHACKS HIS WAY TO A RECORD TON

Adelaide University opener Ben Wakim is not the type of batsman to throw his wicket away when he reaches a ton.

In fact, the Blacks skipper holds a phenomenal stat in grade cricket.

Wakim has made eight centuries for Uni since joining from NSW in 2016 and, after passing the century mark in each of those innings, he has not lost his wicket.

Ben Wakim in action. Picture: Stephen Laffer

The 29-year-old right-hander’s latest effort was a barnstorming and unbeaten 113 from just 54 balls on Saturday.

It was the catalyst in his side’s 49-run win over local rivals Prospect at University Oval.

Wakim came in an uncustomary postition at No.3 and blasted 13 fours and five sixes as he reached triple figures in less than an hour.

It is the biggest individual T20 score in grade cricket since the 2013/14 season when West Torrens’ Patrick Fisher blasted 118 not out.

Tea Tree Gully batsman Matt Weaver’s 130 not out is the largest in the competition, according to MyCricket records dating back to 2009/10.

Wakim’s top score in grade cricket was an unbeaten 170 against Glenelg in a two-day match in 2016.

It is closely followed by 161 not out against Northern Districts in October.

He also made an unbeaten 114 against Tea Tree Gully, also in October.

DOUBLE-TON DAN’S THE MAN

This has to be among the most remarkable late-order knocks of all time.

In Turf’s C1, Goodwood was in all sorts of bother chasing Para Hills’ modest 119.
At 3/22, then 6/76, things looked grim.

Enter Daniel Stephenson.

Batting at No. 8, he smashed 201 not out, featuring 15 fours and 14 sixes, from 168 balls. Even more astounding was the ninth-wicket partnership of 164 with Tom Heyworth, who made just six from 75 balls before being run out.

Goodwood finished at 298.

It was Stephenson’s first double-figure score in six starts.

A SKIPPER’S KNOCK

Former Redbacks skipper Nathan Adcock teeing off in 2017.

In Turf’s LO1, former Redbacks captain Nathan Adcock helped himself to 142 from 107 balls (13 fours, 10 sixes), as Adelaide University piled up 7/250 from its 40 overs.

It was enough to hold off Glenunga, which was valiant in getting to 4/219.

RED BALL, WHITE BALL – DOESN’T MATTER

Glenelg star Jake Winter has been a regular feature in this column throughout summer with good reason.

His ripping grade cricket form continued on Saturday when he blasted 92 from 38 balls to destroy Woodville’s bowling attack and lead the Seahorses to a 62-run Twenty20 victory at Woodville Oval.

Winter also made a mammoth 233 not out in a two-day match last month, 184 in November and 176 in a one-day masterclass in October.

If the Redbacks’ selectors are looking for runs, Winter is surely next in line for a call-up.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Adelaide all-rounder Ben Pengelley smashes one into the turf at Glandore Oval in the Buffalos’ three-run Twenty20 victory over Tea Tree Gully on Saturday. Picture: AAP/Mark Brake

SIX APPEAL

Marion went on a six-fest in Turf C2, thanks mainly to Ryan Connor (129 not out, 10 fours, nine sixes) and Nathan Stirling (98, 10 fours, seven sixes).

The pair put on 167 as Marion’s huge 3/291 was way too many for Brahma Lodge (9/173).

KING KYLE

In Adelaide & Suburban Section Five, we saw one of the few bowling highlights in a weekend of one-day games.

Defending 8/197, Mitchell Park’s Kyle Hanegraaf took 6/20 from eight overs to restrict Glenelg ANA to 8/124.

LEADING THE WAY

A fine all-round effort in ASCA Section Nine helped Plympton Footballers to a solid win against Coromandel.

Wayne Hillgrove opened the batting and made 93 to lead the first stand of 124 with Craig Smith (44) on the way to a total of 9/253.

He then bowled a fine spell of 2/19 from eight overs to hold Coromandel to 8/192.

STARR PERFORMER

In Para Districts’ Grade Three, Dublin’s 8/189 seemed much bigger when Matthew Starr helped reduce One Tree Hill to 6/9.

He finished with 5/15 from eight overs as the innings rallied but was still short at 150.