Prolific West Torrens batsman Kelvin Smith sets new club century record

Eagles run machine Kelvin Smith soars into the club record books following another century; plus all the Premier Cricket leaders in this week’s Over the Pickets column.

Andrew Capel

@andrewcapel

3 min read

February 13, 2019 - 2:45PM

TAKE THAT: Kelvin Smith pulls for four during one of his 17 Sheffield Shield appearances for the Redbacks. Picture: Sarah Reed

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The significance was not lost on Kelvin Smith.

“This is a pretty special moment for me,’’ the West Torrens run machine said after his matchwinning 112 against Port Adelaide at Port Reserve on Saturday etched his name into the record books.

“I love the club so it means a lot to be able to give something back after what it has done for me and my family.’’

Smith’s latest hundred — his fifth of the season — saw him become the first player to score more than 12 first-grade centuries for the Eagles in the 162-year history of the club.

And he is just 24 years old.

Torrens historian and club legend Denis Brien, who recruited Smith as an 11-year-old from the Murray River town of Bowhill, described his record-breaking feat as “extraordinary’’.

“This club has such a proud history and has produced some great batsmen, including David Hookes, so for Kelvin to break the record at such a young age is quite amazing,’’ Brien said.

“It is a testament to his obvious talent and ability to put his head down and bat for long periods.’’

Smith, who made his first-grade debut at 16 and is in the form of his life, broke the record jointly held by former South Australian first-class player Alan Shepherd (1929/30 to 1938/39), three-Test Invincible Ron Hamence (1930/31 to 1952/53) and former SA and Victorian thrashing machine Paul Nobes (1986/87 to 1991/92).

Former Redbacks opener Paul Nobes drives during a 1995 Sheffield Shield game against WA at Adelaide Oval.

His latest century — which came after he was lucky to survive his first ball from Magpies quick Jordan Thomas when the ball clipped his off stump but the bails stayed on — saw him equal the previous club record of five in a season held by Nobes in 1987/88 and Australian player Charlie Dolling in 1922/23.

Smith has made 856 first-grade runs for the season — equal second in club history with Dolling (1922/23).

Nobes holds the record with 974 in 1987/88.

Eagles captain Smith is averaging a remarkable, competition-best 142.67 in eight innings in SACA Premier Cricket’s main competition.

He has peeled off scores of 29, 162 not out, 86, 106, 155, 81 not out, 125 and 112.

“It’s been a pretty exciting season for me,’’ said contracted Redback Smith, who has played 17 first-class matches since 2013/14 (averaging 21.9) but never cemented his spot in the side.

“I’m just loving playing cricket and the results have been on the back of just trying to get better every day at training.

“I train with purpose and by the time I get to the weekend I know I have prepared as well as a I possibly can and so whatever happens, happens.’’

Smith also paid tribute to his girlfriend, Stacey, for bringing “routine and consistency to my lifestyle’’.

The younger brother of former Redback James Smith, Kelvin was a joint winner of last season’s Bradman Medal with Woodville’s Conor McInerney.

But the hard-hitting left-hander already has surpassed his 2017/18 runs total of 646 at 53.83 with two minor round series remaining.

While Smith is still to consolidate himself in the Redbacks team — he played just one Sheffield Shield game last season and one so far this campaign — he is still chasing his dream of playing for Australia.

“My goal as a cricketer is to play as high as I can and that’s for Australia,’’ he said.

“The only way I can achieve that is to firstly establish myself at first-class level, which obviously is the plan, but I definitely believe I am good enough to play at the top level.’’

A member of the Eagles’ historic triple premiership-winning side in 2016/17, Smith is one of a handful of batsmen who have dominated premier cricket this season.

Glenelg’s Jake Winter is the leading runscorer with 951 at an average of 105.67, with four centuries.

On Saturday he passed David Fitzgerald (928 at 71.38 in 1996/97) for the most runs in a season by a Seahorse.

Evergreen Kensington star Jake Brown, a dual Bradman Medallist, has made 696 runs at 77.33 and Sturt skipper Brad Davis has knocked up 601 at 85.86.

IN A LEAGUE OF HIS OWN

West Torrens first-grade century makers

13 — Kelvin Smith (2010/11 to 2018/19)

12 — Paul Nobes (1986/87 to 1991/92)

12 — Ron Hamence (1930/31 to 1952/53)

12 — Alan Shepherd (1929/30 to 1938/39)

BEST WITH BAT

MEN

Matthew Stiddard (Wood) 152 no

Conor McInerney (Wood) 142

Jake Winter (Glen) 129 no

Kelvin Smith (WT) 112

Matthew Nobes (Adel) 109 no

Ben Pengelley (Adel) 98

WOMEN

Bridget Patterson (Kens) 56

Tegan McPharlin (ND) 42 no

Samantha Betts (ND) 25 no

Caroline Ward (WT) 20

BEST WITH BALL

MEN

Cameron Fatchen (Kens) 5/30

Max Parker (Sturt) 4/34

Charlie Parker (Sturt) 3/35

Ben Pengelley (Adel) 2/5

Jake Brown (Kens) 2/38

Daniel Leigh (ET) 2/41

WOMEN

Neisha Iles (ND) 5/12

Eliza Doddridge (Kens) 4/23

Stephanie Beazleigh (ND) 3/7

Tahlia McGrath (WT) 3/17

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

CAMERON FATCHEN

Kensington's John Dalton congratulates bowler Cameron Fatchen on the wicket of Tea Tree Gully’s Josh Macey on Saturday. Picture: AAP Image/Dean Martin

On a weekend where bat dominated ball, Kensington teenage quick Cameron Fatchen bucked the trend to capture a career-best 5/30 to help dismiss premier and second-placed Tea Tree Gully for just 128 as the Browns consolidated top spot.

CHAMPION PLAYER OF THE SEASON