Victorian Premier Cricket: Kristian James take five on debut for St Kilda

A bowler who usually plays in the Third XI turned heads in St Kilda’s Super Slam win over Camberwell with his best performance in several years.

Premier Cricket: Kingston Hawthorn v St Kilda: Prajay Paramesh of Hawthorn Kingston takes a catch to dismiss Harry Dixon of St Kilda on Saturday, December 3, 2022 in Parkdale, Victoria, Australia. Picture: Hamish Blair

We only had to wait a few more days to see the unbelievable depth of St Kilda’s bowling depth.

In Tuesday night’s Super Slam game against Camberwell Magpies, it was Miles Sellenger’s turn to show off his ability with the ball.

The young gun tore through the Magpies lower order with 4-1 in just 1.4 overs — not bad for a guy who has been playing in the club’s Third XI all season.

In fact, they were Sellenger’s best figures in any format since the 2016-17 season when he took 5-33 in the Fourth XI on debut.

Melbourne Renegades star Nic Maddison put together an impressive 66-run display in the win.

FIVE IN A ROW IN PREMIER CRICKET

The number five was a key feature of St Kilda’s weekend.

Five wins in a row.

And five wickets on First XI debut for Kristian James.

It arguably couldn’t have gone better for the Victorian Premier Cricket powerhouse as they stormed to a 55-run win over a plucky Kingston Hawthorn.

James arrived at St Kilda from Sydney club Eastern Suburbs during the pre-season and has immediately made a strong impression on the St Kilda coaching staff with seven wickets in the Second XI.

Jack Cunnington of St Kilda. Picture: Hamish Blair

He tore through the Hawks’ middle order on his way to 5-52 from 10 overs to help restrict the hosts to 9-186 as they attempted to chase down St Kilda’s 241.

St Kilda coach Glenn Lalor heaped praise on the young fast bowler.

“It doesn’t always come off like that when you give someone an opportunity but I’m really pleased it did,” he said.

“He bowls with good pace and has been working very hard at training. He’s a young guy who is enthusiastic about his cricket.

“It was a performance which showed the club has some terrific depth in its bowling ranks.”

Reviewing the game as a whole, Lalor said his side had played “okay but it wasn’t our best game” as they continued to build momentum.

Josh Bartlett top scored with 68 not out, his first half-century of the season as Lewis English posted an unbeaten 50 of his own.

Harry Dixon added 46 runs from 63 balls at the top of the order.

Bartlett was also influential with the ball taking 2-26.

“Bart just does his thing,” Lalor said.

“He got us out of trouble a few times and managed to put together a really nice partnership with Lewis. That really helped set up the game for us.”

St Kilda will face its next test against Fitzroy Doncaster.