Premier Cricket 2018-19: Aaron Ayre and Michael Hill score hundreds as Essendon chases down Casey-South Melbourne’s 4-396

Set almost 400 for victory, Essendon turned an arduous chase into an amble on a pitch that produced 785 runs and only seven wickets over the two days against Casey-South Melbourne.

Aaron Ayre carves a cut shot through backward point during his hundred. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Casey South Melbourne’s towering total of 4-396 was the great talking point of day one of Round 15 in Premier Cricket.

Hard to believe, but it turned out the Swans didn’t have enough runs.

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Spectacularly and memorably, Essendon mowed down the soaring target in 80 overs at Casey Fields on Saturday after centuries from left-handers Aaron Ayre and Michael Hill.

Ayre thrashed 173 from 184 balls and Hill was 109 not out off 128 deliveries as the Bombers turned an arduous chase into an amble on a pitch that produced 785 runs and only seven wickets over the two days.

Ayre showed there was not a hint of a threat in the deck when he imperiously pulled Swans speedster Nathan Lambden through mid-wicket off the front foot off his second over.

He did the same to Jackson Fry as he rattled along through the first hour despite the loss of his heavy scoring opening partner James Seymour.

Nathan Lambden charges in for Casey-South Melbourne. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Aaron Ayre is congratulated by Justin Galeotti after reaching 100. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Seymour had opened his scoring with three emphatic boundaries, but when he was on 12 Fry knocked him over.

Fry was aghast to turn to see the umpire signalling a no-ball.

But soon after the left-armer got his man, this time with a legal delivery, with Seymour getting an inside edge on to his pad. The ball lobbed to Jordie Wyatt at first slip.

Seymour’s replacement, Justin Galeotti, and Ayre fashioned a century partnership before lunch that served as the Bombers’ sturdy base for a sterling chase.

But it wasn’t without incident.

On 53, Ayre edged a Josh Dowling delivery and keeper Devin Pollock went diving to his left, but couldn’t hold on.

And soon after the Swans were convinced they had Ayre with a direct hit from captain Luke Wells as he tried to filch a single to mid-off. The umpire ruled he had made his ground.

Minutes later Ayre took 15 off one Wells over and went to lunch on 93.

The century came with a drive past mid-on for four. He had needed only 101 balls to get there.

Galeotti, technically pleasing and patient, also had a life when he snicked Lambden to first slip. The quickie has apparently had 15 catches dropped off his bowling this season; no wonder he was cursing and cussing at the end of the over.

Dowling, who had bowled tidily and quietened the batsmen in his first spell, broke the partnership when he had Galelotti LBW for 38.

Jackson Fry bends his back in search of a wicket. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Aaron Ayre clubs a pull shot during his brilliant knock. Picture: Valeriu Campan

But former state man Hill replaced him and was quickly into stride.

By tea the Bombers were 2-270, with Ayre on 150 and Hill on 56.

They were still together when the score passed 300, but Ayre played the ball on to his stumps soon after, his 173 coming from 184 balls and spangled with 26 fours and a six hit straight off Wells.

The superb innings gave him his seventh century in Premier Cricket and took him past 800 runs for the season.

But there was no let-up for the Swans as Hill and Isaac Willett (41no off 38 balls) sped towards the target.

Successive boundaries gave Hill his eighth Premier century and not long after the Bombers, who had resumed at 0-0 off two overs, could celebrate a remarkable victory.

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