Premier Cricket 2018-19: Aaron Ayre scores career-best 173 to press Victorian claims in Essendon’s win against Casey-South Melbourne
Aaron Ayre produced another innings flush with first-class qualities to power Essendon to a remarkable victory over Casey-South Melbourne on Saturday.
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Another first-class innings from a player most at Essendon feel should be playing first-class cricket.
Bombers opener Aaron Ayre etched himself into the club’s history books with a masterful knock of 173 as Essendon reeled in Casey-South Melbourne’s 4-396 with remarkable ease at Casey Fields on Saturday.
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AYRE LAUDED AS BEST BATSMEN OUTSIDE THE BIG BASH LEAGUE
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Ayre hit 26 boundaries and one six in his career-best innings, posting the seventh hundred of his Bombers career.
The left-hander, who played twice for Victoria in 2015-16, became the first Essendon batsman to pass 800 runs in a season twice during his 184-ball stay, moving to 847 runs at 60.5 for the campaign.
Bombers assistant coach Callum Appleyard said Ayre displayed all the qualities of a first-class batsman during his matchwinning knock.
“The counterattacking weapons he has got, the manipulation of the field, the reverse sweeps against spinners and scoring all around the ground,” Appleyard said.
“He’s having one of those seasons that probably should be rewarded, but it’s a benefit for us that he’s with us.
“One of those years that is almost faultless. It was just a fantastic knock and really good to watch.”
Ayre, who was labelled the best batsman outside the Big Bash League by captain Clint McKay, has 1057 runs at 52.9 including Twenty20 fixtures.
Essendon has successfully chased 5-347, 278 and 4-396 in its past three games, amassing 1025 runs for the loss of only eight wickets.
Michael Hill (109 not out) was the other hero in Saturday’s run chase, while No. 3 Justin Galeotti (38) produced a patient hand alongside Ayre.
Hill was at the crease with Isaac Willett (41 not out) when Essendon completed its best chase since 2007-08 in the 83rd over.
“Being able to sit there and watch these type of innings, (it) was a pinch yourself type of moment,” Appleyard said.
Essendon is second on the First XI ladder and all but guaranteed a home final.
“We still know there’s areas in our game that need work,” Appleyard said.
“But I think it sends a message to the competition now that we have got no fear with the bat. “Maybe recent history shows the bowling has been the strong point a lot of the time, but the batsmen have really turned it on this year.”
The Bombers take on Monash Tigers in Round 15.
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