DVCA 2018-19: Lloyd Mash blasts 192 for Eltham in Money Shield

Former Victorian Batsman Lloyd Mash scored his first century of the season for Eltham on Saturday — and it was a big one.

Lloyd Mash shows a straight bat during his days at Fitzroy Doncaster. Picture: James Ross

Lloyd Mash produced a masterclass on Saturday to all but secure Eltham’s spot in this season’s DVCA Money Shield finals.

The former Victorian left-hander crunched a magnificent 192 against a hapless Mill Park at Eltham Central Park, hammering 19 boundaries and four sixes.

Mash, who batted at No. 3, was dismissed on the last ball of the day as the Panthers piled on a formidable 9-332 after being sent in to bat.

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“I was the only one in our top five who hadn’t made 100 for the year,” Mash said.

“I won’t say I was due, but it’s probably a good sign for our team that we’ve got blokes who can score hundreds.

“Hopefully that’ll hold us in good stead (for finals) should we get over the line this weekend.”

Mash has returned to his junior club this summer following a decorated Premier Cricket career with Fitzroy Doncaster.

The 37-year-old’s knock lifted his 2018-19 tally to 412 runs at 82.40 and gave a notice of warning to opposition sides leading into finals.

Mash had two half-centuries to his name this season before Saturday’s heroics.

“I missed out last game (against Greensborough), but I’d been pretty consistent up until then without anything that stood out,” he said.

“Form’s been pretty good all year I reckon. I’m just probably still adapting to the wickets and everything like that.”

The Panthers sit in third position on the ladder on 39 points but must defeat Mill Park in the final round to rubberstamp a top-four berth.

Just seven points separate the competition’s top-six teams — Banyule, Heidelberg, Eltham, Lalor Stars, Lower Plenty and Bundoora United — with the flag race wide open.

“I think that was a short-term goal for the group and the club, to get into finals,” Mash said.

“We’re one day away from doing that now. We’ve put ourselves in a pretty good position with 330 on the board.

“There’s no doubt our strength is going to be with the bat.

“But having said that, we’ve had blokes stand up with the ball. We’ve got a pretty balanced bowling attack and I think we’re definitely capable of taking 10 wickets in finals to win us games.”

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