Premier Cricket 2019-20: Dean Russ tons up in Footscray’s win

Footscray strengthened its line-up over the Premier Cricket off-season and Saturday’s win showed it will be a formidable opponent in 2019-20.

Dean Russ scored his 16th century for Foostcray. Picture: Hamish Blair

Footscray was a fancied as a big improver over the off-season.

The ins included Victorian paceman Jake Reed and former Monash Tigers skipper Dan Sartori, while ex-Australia T20 spinner James Muirhead committed after he was absent for 2018-19.

While the Dogs were up against a developing Kingston Hawthorn on Saturday, the emphatic Round 1 win was enough to suggest they will be a formidable opponent this season.

Footscray swept aside the Hawks by nine wickets away from home, with champion Dean Russ (116 not out) and state batsman Travis Dean (75 not out) combining for an unbroken 193-run stand.

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After Kingston Hawthorn put up 7-223, the Dogs powered to 1-225 with 79 balls remaining.

The success left Footscray in second position after the opening round.

Last summer the club finished with four wins and in 16th spot, but made the third-most runs in the competition.

“The boys were trying to forget about last season. It was a little bit of a write-off,” new Dogs coach Allan Wise said.

“It wasn’t lost on us that we made a lot of runs last year and probably struggled with the ball at times and could never get the two of them going together.

“A couple of fresh faces from the top down and some good young kids at the club, there’s a good vibe around the place.

“Naturally, a Round 1 win gives you a bit of confidence you’re hopefully on the right track.”

Kingston Hawthorn threatened to post a big score after winning the toss and batting first before pacemen Tallan Wright (0-35 from nine overs) and Jordan Buckingham (1-40 from 10) reduced the flow of runs.

Spinners Russ (1-14 from five) and Muirhead (0-26 from six) did a good job through the middle overs, while new ball pair Hamish Winter-Irving (3-56) and Reed (2-43) rebounded with aplomb after leaking some early runs.

Sartori was dismissed for 16, leaving the Hawks up and about early in the run chase.

But Russ, who hit 15 boundaries and a six, and Dean (seven boundaries and a six) took the shine off the new ball before punishing the opposition.

It marked the 16th time Russ had reached three figures for the Dogs.

“He’s got a real appetite for runs,” Wise said.

“He’s enjoying his cricket, given his life stage and his age is at that point where it’s all syncing together.

“He’s a very mature player, has obviously played at a higher level but reaching for that goal now sort of takes a back seat when you’re in your early 30s and have got a young family.

“Once he gets in, he just puts such a high price on his wicket and he’s such a competitor and that flows through to the scoreboard. It was a pleasure to watch.

“We know Trav’s quality as a player, irrespective of the level he’s playing. They put on a great partnership.”

Footscray will host Dandenong in another one-day fixture on Saturday.