Kingsgrove Cup T20: Penrith cricketer Tyran Liddiard shock at rare century on weird pitch

This son of a football gun dreams of playing BBL and for NSW. A few more performances like his most recent in the Kingsgrove Cup will help him achieve this sooner rather than later.

Tyran Liddiard wicketkeeping during a round of this season’s NSW Premier Cricket competition. Pic: Jeremy Ng

Cricketer Tyran Liddiard started Sunday with a sleep in because he never imaged for a second he would be sent out to play

At the end of the day he had scored the first century of this season’s Kingsgrove T20 Cup - only the 31st in history - on a pitch he described as “weird”.

The Penrith wicketkeeper batsman said he was “over the moon” at the feat in the match against Hawkesbury on Sunday - a match he never imaged for a second would go ahead due to Sydney’s big wet.

Tyran Liddiard whips the bails off in an attempt to run Luke Bartier of St George out during round three of NSW Premier Cricket. Pic: Jeremy Ng

“The water was ankle deep on Saturday. It was flooded. You could have gone for a surf ,’’ said Liddiard, the son of Penrith Panthers player Glen.

The 23-year-old with aspirations of playing both Big Bash and for NSW racked up 104 in the T20 match.

It was the first century in T20 this season and his fourth first grade century, taking him past 2000 runs to2096 at 36.13.

It was only the 31st century in the history of the T-20 competition and the first for his Penrith club.

“I’m in a bit of shock really because it’s so rare to score 100 because it’s just 20 overs.” Liddiard said.

“I’m over the moon. I never thought I would do it. “

Tyran and Glen Liddiard at Sydney Premier cricket. Pic: Barry Clarence

Liddiard, who opened with youngster Ryley Smith, said they got off to a slow start due to the wicket.

“The wicket was one of the hardest I have ever played on. It was weird,’’ he said.

“In the first six overs, the powerplay I don’t think we hit a boundary. That’s pretty rare for me and Ryley.

“Last year we hit 70 off six overs. It was like a tennis ball bounce and then slow and we were mistiming them.

“In the second half of our innings I just upped it up a bit and tried to play more attacking and it worked.’’

Liddiard is hoping continued strong performances for his Penrith club will secure his more opportunities in the game this season.

“First and foremost for me is doing well for Penrith. Im a proud Penrith boy,’’ he said.

“But the goal is to represent my state. Before Covid I played a couple of second X1 games which were great.

“For me the goal is to crack Big bash and obviously for NSW as well. It out of my control. I just have to do as well as I can each week.

“Doing well (in NSW Premier Cricket) keeps my name out there and with that will hopefully come higher honours.’’

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