Premier Cricket: St Kilda takes gripping win over Geelong at the Junction Oval

Captain Adam Crosthwaite and Ben Davies played vital hands on a day when a depleted St Kilda called on every bit of its depth.

St Kilda first-gamers Harry Dixon and Jackson Noske.

Adam Crosthwaite filled in as a Melbourne Stars assistant coach last week.

It’s not silly to suggest he could have filled in as a player too, even at age 37.

The St Kilda captain remains one of the best batsmen in Victorian Premier Cricket, and he played a decisive hand in his team’s run-chase win over Geelong at the Junction Oval on Saturday.

In doing so he again showed his knack for making runs just when the Saints need them.

The Cats put up 8-219, receiving 40 overs rather than 50 after a delayed start.

The home team replied with 7-220, gaining the winning run in the final over.

Ben Davies played one of his most important innings for the Saints, hitting 46 off 45 balls, with 5 fours and 1 six. He was run out in the last over.

Crosthwaite hit a sparkling 74, with 3 sixes and 3 fours, sharing useful partnerships with Josh Manning (40), Jack Cunnington (26) and Davies after St Kilda lost openers Michael De Iacovo and Harry Dixon cheaply.

But the skipper was disappointed to be dismissed with nine overs to go.

“I definitely threw away a hundred and sort of opened the door for Geelong to get back into the game,’’ he said.

“Thankfully the boys were able to get us over the line in the end. It was exciting.’’

Dixon and Jackson Noske were on debut and Sam Crea was promoted for his first game in some time as the St Kilda selectors battled unavailabilities with Covid and Big Bash call-ups.

Dixon is also in the club’s Dowling Shield squad.

“It was a tip of the hat to the depth we’ve got in the squad, to be able to knock off a really good Geelong side,’’ Crosthwaite said.

“We don’t really count blokes like Nic Maddinson and Marcus Harris but we had something like seven or eight regulars out, and the ones, twos and threes all got up.’’

He described Dixon, 16, as a “super talent … he looks every bit the part and every bit the player … balanced, composed’’.

Young paceman Noske took 1-37 off six overs.

“He’s a big, strong lad who bowls fast. He’s really coming along. He’s got some good skills and he’s a great young kid,’’ Crosthwaite said. “We’re super-excited about him.’’

As for his role with the Stars, Crosthwaite said he was happy to “throw some balls at some good players and have one of the best seats in the house’’.

“When they rang I was thinking maybe I was getting a game,’’ he said with a laugh.

“But it was only for the coaching ranks. I think they want to play the youngsters. It was so good seeing guys like Tommy Rogers and Lachie Bangs put into the squad and getting a taste for it.’’

The Saints are on top of the ladder with six wins and a draw from seven rounds.