NSW Premier Cricket: Club records tumble as bats dominate in wild round

A couple of grade cricket veterans teamed up with centuries to post a club record opening stand in a timely reminder to state selectors. NSW Premier Cricket top performers.

Josh Clarke blasted a match winning unbeaten century for Wests in the opening round of the Belvidere Cup at Pratten Park. Photo: David Hossack

With a hiatus in the T20 competition, a couple of Wests veterans have dined out with centuries as the records tumbled at Pratten Park.

Itching for an extended stay at the crease, former representative openers Josh Clarke and Nick Cutler eased into the opening round of the one day format on Saturday before dispatching the Sydney University attack to all parts in a match winning opening stand of 262.

Cutler, a former ACT rep, notched a patient 110 from 153 balls. At the other end, Clarke teed off, launching nine maximums in a blistering unbeaten 175 off just 140 balls.

“It’s good to be able to spend more time in the middle,” said Clarke, who last represented NSW 2XI back in 2020.

“It’s good how the formats are grouped this season. It works well in terms of a training concept, and it’s nice to be able to bat for a bit longer if you’re good enough on the day.”

Nick Cutler lifts the temp for Western Suburbs in the limited overs final last season. Photo: David Hossack

Remarkably, the good mates broke their own club record for a limited overs opening wicket partnership.

“It’s always nice batting together. We actually broke it a few years ago when we put on 216 against Mosman.

“And now we’ve broken our own record. Obviously those milestones are not something you go out to do, but when it comes off it’s always good to look back on.”

In a surprise for Clarke, the left-hander’s 175 set a new benchmark for Wests in the 50-over format, surpassing the 145 set by the late Phillip Hughes.

“I didn’t know that until a day later,” said the 31-year-old. “That’s a little bit of history, it’s nice to be in the same ballpark as Philip.”

Josh Clarke shows his textbook technique for Wests. Photo: David Hossack

With early season runs on the board and a hunger for more, Clarke refuses to shut the door on playing in the Baggy Blue.

“I haven’t represented for a while now but I’m still training as hard as ever and hitting as many balls as I can,” explained Clarke.

“If you’re scoring enough runs and winning games, I don’t think that door is ever closed. The state selectors went through a phase of tending to pick the next best 19 or 20-year-olds, but I think they’ve levelled out a little bit in recent years.

“And I think if you’re putting enough performances on the board at the right time, then I think you’re definitely in the mix.

“Being one of the older guys, it’s good to know that they are still looking out for you.”

AROUND THE GROUNDS

In a round dominated by willow, Manly’s Ahillen Beadle was another to shine, smashing an extraordinary 190 on home turf to guide his side to a mammoth 5/380 in a big win over Blacktown Mounties.

In a threat to local residents, Beadle blasted 12 sixes and as many fours to finish unbeaten off 138 deliveries.

Easts downed Penrith by 189 runs at Waverley, but it was a two-man show as opener Will Simpson (100 off 127) and Angus Robson (133* off 126) both hit tons in a second-wicket stand of 179.

At Asquith Oval, Northern District chased down Fairfield-Liverpool’s 5-263 with five wickets to spare. Lachlan Shaw top scored with 130, and the former Aussie U19s wicketkeeper put on 184 runs with Corey Miller (78 off 88).

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LOWER GRADES

The flow of runs continued in the lower grades. Among 11 centuries, three players raised their bats in the second grade contest at North Sydney Oval No.2.

Gordon set the scene with a formidable 5/385 from their allotted 50 overs. Apurv Sharma (113) and Jamie Bekis (116) led the way for the Stags, but it was a near thing as Norths roared back in style to post 342.

In a wild afternoon, Bears No.3 Finn Nixon-Tomko headed home with mixed feelings after the narrow loss. Outstanding in the chase, the left-hander’s unbeaten 207 off 153 balls is among the most entertaining knocks seen across the opening rounds.