Nick Blaich, Adam Bull go big for True Blues

Prahran enjoyed an excellent win over Melbourne on the back of a double-century stand from its opening pair.

Prahran batsmen Nick Blaich and Adam Bull after their rousing partnership. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Nick Blaich cracked a six and a four to go to 96.

His opening partner, Adam Bull, sensed the left-hander wanted to bring up his maiden century in Victorian Premier Cricket with a boundary.

Bull, 37, walked down the wicket and had a word with Blaich as he closed in on the ton against Melbourne at Beaumaris Secondary College on Saturday.

“I didn’t want him to give it away. I said to him, ‘However long it takes you, just get it,’’ Bull said on Sunday.

“He bunted a couple around and he brought it up with a one around the ground.’’

It was the first of two major milestones for Blaich, a 24-year-old in his eighth season with the True Blues.

After his century came a double-century partnership with Bull, who was promoted from the Second XI after scoring a ton against St Kilda in the previous round.

Kieran Elliott lets one go for Melbourne. Picture: Valeriu Campan

The pair put on 206 to lead Prahran to 6-262 off its 50 overs.

The Demons were bowled out for 246 in the 49th over, suffering a second successive loss despite runs from acting captain Blake Thomson (64) and Jack Harper (77 from 77 balls).

Matt Willcox took 3-28 off 9.5 overs in a fine display for the True Blues.

But the spotlight settled on the opening batsmen: Blaich’s 120 came off 133 deliveries and included 5 sixes and 8 fours, and Bull made 81 off 111 balls, with 1 six and 5 fours.

“It was incredible to watch,’’ Bull said of Blaich’s innings.

“I don’t think he timed one until he got to 50.

“I got to 50 first. We were sitting on 51 apiece, and then he went to 80 in three overs. He’s a hard-hitting, good-timing batsman.’’

He’s a wicketkeeper too, having developed his glove work after arriving from Glen Iris juniors.

“He never joined us as a keeper, but we were short and we knew he could do it, and he’s worked his arse off to get to the point where he’s actually become a bloody good keeper,’’ Bull said.

Damon Egan hits out for Prahran. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Blaich held three catches as Prahran worked its way through the Melbourne batting.

As for Bull, he intended to retire from Premier Cricket ahead of the season, only for coach Julien Wiener to talk him around.

He was happy to play in the seconds – he offered to captain the team – but his ton against the Saints had him selected for his 214th Premier match.

It was the first time he had been involved in a double-century opening partnership.

“I was chuffed with that, over the moon, and it was great to share it with ‘Blaichy’ and get the win,’’ he said.

But he was feeling “shocking’’ in the hamstrings and lower back on Sunday.

“The hamstring’s about to go, I think,’’ Bull said with a laugh.

It was his 31st half-century in Premier Cricket.

Prahran is now 4-2 and sixth on the ladder.