VSDCA 2020-21: Yarraville defeat Altona as Josh Hahnel hits ton
Yarraville captain-coach Matthew Grose has heaped praise on Josh Hahnel after the opening batsman delivered a match-winning knock in Round 1.
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Josh Hahnel was Yarraville’s most prolific run-scorer last summer.
And he could be on his way to becoming one of the leading batsmen in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association after delivering a match-winning opening-round century Saturday.
Hahnel finished unconquered on 135 not out from 132 deliveries to guide the Eagles to a four-wicket victory with eight balls to spare over rival Altona at home.
The opener hammered 17 boundaries during his two and a half hour stay at the crease in a knock that oozed class.
It marked the second time Hahnel had reached three figures at First XI level after he hit an unbeaten 118 against eventual premier Williamstown in a losing cause in a one-day fixture last season.
That century was the highlight of a campaign that brought 490 runs at 37.69.
But Yarraville captain-coach Matthew Grose said Hahnel had developed into a superior performer this season.
“Josh just took his game to another level over the pre-season. I guess the thing that separated his innings (on Saturday) compared to the one against Williamstown last year is he’s got the ability now to really take a bowler on,” Grose said.
“Rather than hit a lot of singles, he’s added a couple of shots into his toolbox and he can really attack a bowler and throw them off their line and length now.
“He’s just a lot more dynamic at the crease through the middle overs.
“It was an outstanding innings, going at more than a run a ball.”
Hahnel found much-needed support from wicketkeeper-batsman Luke Reid (27) and Jamie Tapper (22) after the Eagles slipped to 2-29 in pursuit of 222 on a flat Yarraville Oval wicket.
Archit Shukla (16 not out) and Jack Brown (13) also made important contributions in the lower order as the home side finished 6-224.
Earlier, David Kinsella’s 103 not out helped Altona post 4-221 from its 40 overs.
Grose credited Kinsella for his innings and said it provided “a bit of a template” for his team’s run chase.
While Hahnel was Yarraville’s leading batsman in 2019-20, Grose pointed to the fact the right-hander registered seven scores of 13 or less alongside four half-centuries and a ton as he strives for a more consistent output this season.
“He’s got everything set up now for him to really back that breakout year up with another really strong year,” Grose said.
“Last year he would note that he was a little bit inconsistent.
“He’s a much better player this year than he was last year.
“He’s come on in leaps and bounds from the player he was two years ago.
“We’ve got high expectations for what he can achieve this year, but they’re not unrealistic. We think he can really be a dominant batsman in this comp, and he showed that against a really good attack.
“We just want everyone in our team to enjoy their cricket and he’s such an integral member of our team. He’s well-loved by everyone at the club and well-connected with everyone as a Yarraville junior.
“If he’s happy, he’s making runs and if he’s making runs, we’re probably winning most games.”
Grose said the Eagles’ bowling effort was below their best on a wicket suited to the batsmen.
Shukla (2-16), Mitchell Cross (1-30) and Mohan D’Souza (1-37) were the wicket-takers.
“Bowling on Yarraville Oval is never easy, so you’ve got a very small margin for error,” Grose said.
“Maybe we’re just ironing out some kinks in our execution.
“The positive thing is we were able to get the result even though we didn’t bowl as perfectly as we would have liked.
“We know that’s going to get better.
Yarraville will next face Melton away from home in Round 2.
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