Women’s Premier Cricket 2018-19: Jess Duffin hammers club record 235 for Prahran

RECORDS tumbled as Prahran’s Jess Duffin crafted a sublime double-century in Round 4 of the Women’s Premier Firsts season.

Prahran's Jess Duffin on her way to a magnificent 235. Picture: Arj Giese

RECORDS tumbled as Prahran’s Jess Duffin crafted a sublime double-century in Round 4 of the Women’s Premier Firsts season.

The former Australian batter crunched a career-best 235 from 149 balls against a hapless Plenty Valley in an innings which featured 30 boundaries and seven sixes.

Duffin set a new club record for the highest individual score at Prahran, bettering Renee Melton’s unbeaten 205 from 2008-09, while her 317-run opening partnership with 15-year-old Merinda Hale (61) was also a record.

The True Blues piled on 3-381 from their 50 overs, powering to a 190-run triumph on the back of Duffin’s heroics.

Jess Duffin goes on the attack for Prahran. Picture: Arj Giese

The knock lifted Duffin’s season tally to 414 runs at an eye-popping average of 207.

The 29-year-old, who is also playing for Queensland in the Women’s National Cricket League and will represent Melbourne Renegades in this summer’s Women’s Big Bash League, said she was benefiting from playing the pressure of national selection.

“Obviously because I’m not playing for Australia anymore and not playing for Victoria, I’m enjoying the fact I can enjoy my cricket a little bit more I guess,” Duffin said.

“I know it sounds funny, because I’ve always enjoyed my cricket, but to have no pressure on me each time I’m going out to bat now is kind of nice.

“It’s pretty much about Prahran and trying to develop these young kids at Prahran.”

Duffin said she was initially unaware of the statistical significance of her record-breaking innings, preferring to deflect attention to Prahran’s up-and-coming players.

The True Blues progressed to the semi-finals last season in the 50-over competition, but will be without Duffin after Christmas as she focuses on her WBBL commitments and AFLW campaign with North Melbourne.

“When I’m in the Big Bash playing for Renegades, I’ll play club games if we’re not playing at the time,” Duffin said.

“That’s probably my role at the moment, to teach that younger group how to deal with certain situations each time I bat.

“I’ve had Annabel (Sutherland) at the top of the order with me and (last) week I had Merinda, so it was just good to be out there trying to help here out as well.

“To be able to do it with a 15-year-old at the other end just shows what sort of players we’re producing in Victoria.

“I know I scored a lot of runs, but I was just happy watching her go about her business as well.”

A skilled dual sportswoman, Duffin also claimed the Lambert-Pearce Medal for the best and fairest player in the VFL women’s competition this year.

“You look at it now, there’s a lot of dual sportspeople playing footy,” she said.

“As long as both professions are happy with me doing it and my body’s holding up, I will.”

Prahran will face Essendon-Maribyrnong Park on Sunday.