Premier Cricket: Chris Anderson hits maiden 50 for Melbourne in win over Camberwell Magpies

Chris Anderson had some good friends alongside him as he reached his maiden half-century in Premier Cricket on Saturday.

Duncan Kellaway broke his thumb and will miss the Premier Cricket finals. Pic: Adam O’Sullivan

Chris Anderson started the Victorian Premier Cricket season in Melbourne’s Third XI.

Two weeks ago he made his First XI debut.

And on Saturday, in his first innings for the Dees, he hit a half-century that contributed to their five-wicket win over Camberwell Magpies in the final round.

As he did, he batted in the company of Will Pucovski, who crafted 73 as Melbourne reached 5-179 in response to the Magpies’ 9-177 at the Camberwell Sports Ground.

Anderson goes back a fair way with Pucovski and fellow Demons Sam and Jack Harper.

As schoolboys they all played together for the Caulfield Sub-District Second XI in 2010-11.

The team won the premiership that season and the Harpers played in the grand final. Pucovski and Anderson were unavailable because of school cricket.

Chris Anderson receives his First XI cap from Jack Harper.

While Pucovski and the Harper brothers have been on the Premier First XI Cricket for some time, Anderson, 23, has only just broken through.

Like Jack Harper, he joined Melbourne from Richmond, making the move in 2018-19.

“Up until Christmas he hadn’t actually played in our Second XI this season,’’ Melbourne coach Ben Vague said of Anderson.

“But we identified that we’ve got this role in the middle-order … we had no one in the First XI or Second XI who could play like a little Jonno Wells does in the Big Bash. He’s very busy, very crafty, very good between the wickets.’’

Promoted to the seconds in Round 13, Anderson hit 92 not out against Fitzroy-Doncaster, prompting the selectors to promote him to the Firsts for a debut the following week.

He wasn’t required to bat against the Lions. But at 3-67 against the Magpies he was needed, and he hit 50 off 69 balls, with 5 fours and 1 six.

“He was awesome. His first 30 were at a run a ball and then he probably got bogged down a little bit, but overall he did exactly what we thought he could do,’’ Vague said.

“He showed he can play at the level. He wasn’t overwhelmed, wasn’t nervous. I think he’s one of those players where, the higher grade he plays, the better he’ll be. He’s a smart player.’’

Flashback to 2014, and Jack Harper, James Rosewarne, Sam Harper and Chris Anderson returned to Caulfield.

As Anderson takes his chance for the Demons, they’ll have to make do without classy youngster Campbell Kellaway for the finals.

The left-hander broke his thumb in a Victorian Under 19 trial game – he took a return catch off Melbourne teammate Darcy Munro – and had surgery last week.

“Devastating. I feel like I’ve like Steve Smith from my side,’’ Vague said.

“He’s devastated too, devastated he can’t try to help us win finals. But I’ve said to him that when he looks back when his career is over at 34 or 35 years of age, he won’t even remember missing this finals series because he’ll have achieved so many other things.’’

Kellaway hit 439 runs at 48.8 during the season, including centuries against St Kilda and Footscray.

The Demons finished third on the ladder, behind St Kilda and Carlton, and will meet the Blues in a qualifying final at Princes Park on Saturday.

As top-four sides both will receive a double chance: the loser of the match will back up in a semi-final on Sunday.

Carlton champion Ev Gulbis hurt a hamstring last Saturday against Richmond but is expected to line up for the Blues.