Meyrick Buchanan blasts 154 not out as Melbourne defeats Casey South Melbourne

MEYRICK Buchanan blasted 154 not out, his second century in Premier Cricket, as Melbourne thrashed Casey South Melbourne.

DROPPED early in his innings, Meyrick Buchanan made Casey South Melbourne pay an exorbitant price for the let-off at the Albert Ground.

The Melbourne opener was on five when he was put down at backward point off the bowling of Swans quickie Nathan Lambden.

Lambden was aghast, knowing this was not a wicket on which to be sprinkling gifts to batsmen.

Meyrick Buchanan on his way to a century for the Demons.

Reprieved, Buchanan went on to 154 not out, his second century in Premier Cricket, as the Demons surged past 300 in the one-day match on Saturday.

Melbourne piled up 2-302 and knocked over the visitors for 189.

Buchanan played a dazzling innings after his life. Initially happy to let opening partner Sam Harper (47 off 51 balls) do the scoring, he got busy in the second-wicket partnership with Blake Thomson.

The pair put on 137, Thomson taking the score past 150 with a meaty cover drive off Dylan Hadfield in the 31st over.

Buchanan raised the 200 with a blast for four over mid-off.

Thomson was out for 60 (off 80 balls, with 3 fours), skying a return catch to spinner Lachie Sperling as he looked to launch through mid-wicket, but his teammate pushed on. The 25-year-old reached his century with a flick to fine leg, so well timed it fairly scorched to the boundary. He had faced 123 balls.

Melbourne batsman Sam Harper throws the bat at the new ball. Picture: Valeriu Campan

The milestone met, Buchanan expanded his ambitions and range of strokes. A cuff off Hadfield over cover almost went for six. An up-and-over cut off Lambden did clear the boundary.

Skipper Matt Brown joined Buchanan for the last 10 overs and they put the Swans on the rack.

Paceman Jackson Fry felt the force of a Brown drive, the ball cracking into his leg as he followed through. The batsmen scampered through for two; Fry probably saved another two.

The left-armer had the last over of the innings and started it well.

But Buchanan took him for two sixes — the first a peach of a shot, a pull off his hip behind square — and a four off the final three deliveries, reaching 150 and lifting Melbourne past 300.

He received a hearty hand from teammates as he came off the ground, having hit 15 fours and 3 sixes.

Brown was 30 not out, striking the ball hard after following Thomson to the creases.

The Swans innings started with their English captain, Luke Wells, cutting Jackson Coleman for four.

Melbourne batsman Blake Thomson hits through mid-wicket. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Coleman got the breakthrough, castling Ryan Quirk for eight.

At 1-67 the visitors were making encouraging progress through Wells (30) and James Maxwell (67) but once they were split Melbourne swept through a wobbly middle-order.

Spinner Brad Melville nabbed 3-39 off his nine overs.

But it was Buchanan’s day. He had a frustrating time of it last season, coming in with only 228 runs at 22.5, with one half-century. But ahead of 2018-19 Melbourne coach Adam Dale noted how well he was hitting the ball and predicted a good season for him. He has made a cracking start to it.

Ditto for St Kilda, which remains unbeaten after holding out Frankston Peninsula at Jubilee Park.

Ben Davies anchored the innings with 83 off 133 balls (7 fours, 2 sixes) and Damon Egan cracked 58 off 62 as the Saints reached 5-226 off their 50 overs.

In his first knock for the club former Test man Nic Maddinson chipped in with 36 off 39 balls.

Frankston Peninsula put in a spirited chase but fell fractionally short at 8-221. Young spinner Todd Murphy, with 2-33 off 10 overs, held up the Heat and Jon Merlo captured 3-44 off his 10.