St Kilda opener Josh Manning continues his run of big scores against Geelong

ST Kilda opener Josh Manning hits 120 not out to lead the Saints to victory over Geelong in Victorian Premier Cricket.

JOSH Manning batted the full 50 overs for St Kilda, and he would have liked to bat another 50.

The determined opener crafted his second century in Victorian Premier Cricket to take the Saints to a total that proved too tall for Geelong in the Round 2 match at St Kilda Cricket Ground on Saturday.

Manning’s 120 not out came off 157 deliveries, included 9 fours and 2 sixes, and underpinned the home team’s 4-252 after it chose to bat.

Josh Manning drives during his hand of 120 not out.

Manning and state man Marcus Harris (36 off 25 balls) put on 49 for the first wicket, and he then collaborated with Lachie Holmes for a 114-run stand for the second peg.

Holmes faced 97 balls for his 63, hitting 2 fours and 1 six.

Damon Egan cracked 21 off 17 deliveries as the Saints went past 250 in the final over.

In its reply Geelong was dismissed for 204 in 47.2 overs, unable to raise any substantial partnerships.

Young spinner Todd Murphy picked up the prize wicket of prolific Cat Eamonn Vines for 1, bowled with a quicker ball that hit the top of off-stump. He returned 1-38 off his 10 overs.

Josh Bartlett (2-29 off seven) and skipper Michael Beer (2-20 off eight) kept it tight and Jon Merlo (2-12 off 3.2 overs) snipped the tail as St Kilda made it successive victories to open the season.

Beer said Manning, 24, played a terrific innings.

“Batted very well. Reward for a lot of effort in the pre-season, when he worked his butt off,’’ he said.

“He knew when to get through the pressure moments and knew when to hit the button. Very good to watch.’’

Marcus Harris cuts over the top during his brisk 36.

Both of Manning’s centuries have come against Geelong, and he has also scored a 99 against the Cats as well as 143 in the Second XI.

Melbourne defeated Kingston Hawthorn, comfortably in the end, but the Hawks gave them some anxious moments.

The Demons opted to bat at the Albert Ground but lost Sam Harper (7), Meyrick Buchanan (7) and Seb Gotch (3) cheaply to slump to 3-38.

It was left to Will Pucovski (71) and captain Matt Brown (44) to establish firmer footing for the innings.

Young leg-spinner Usama Saddiq gave it a spectacular finale when he tonked 32 not out off 13 balls, with 3 sixes and 2 fours.

Pucovski’s 71 came off 97 deliveries and included four boundaries.

In the reply Kingston Hawthorn was bowled out for 172 in 41.4 overs, No 3 Jake Marnie a defiant figure with his 66 not out off 101 balls.

Medium-pacer Kieran Elliott (4-27 off 7.4 overs), spinner Sean Sturrock (3-36 off 10) and Glenn Hannah (2-33 off eight) shared the wickets.

Round 3 will be played today, with St Kilda visiting Camberwell Magpies and Melbourne playing at Melbourne University.