Casey Cardinia cricket: Devon Meadows opener Lucas Ligt plunders 148

A Devon Meadows opener put away 17 fours and 2 sixes as the Panthers totted up an eye-popping score to start the Casey Cardinia season.

Lucas Ligt batting for the Panthers. Picture: Devon Meadows CC

It was his 31st birthday and Devon Meadows opener Lucas Ligt celebrated with one of the innings of his career on Saturday.

The stylish left hander blazed 148 off 119 balls, with 17 fours and 2 sixes, as the Panthers powered to 3-305 off their 40 overs against Gembrook at Glover Reserve.

Gembrook, in reply, was dismissed for 121 in 30.1 overs in the opening round of District competition in Casey Cardinia Cricket Association.

It was back-to-back hundreds for Ligt, who made an unbeaten 100 in last season’s preliminary final.

Ligt, who played First XI at Dandenong and Casey South Melbourne, shared a 117-run opening stand with 16-year-old Will Halton, who made 40 on debut.

He then combined with Trent Delaney (78 off 65 balls, with 3 fours and 5 sixes) to take the score to 1-281 when Delaney was out.

Chris Cleef.

Lucas Ligt.

Ligt’s brilliant innings ended on the second last ball of the innings and Devon Meadows skipper Chris Cleef said it was as good a knock as he’s seen in local cricket.

“He’s just above and beyond…just his skill levels are unmatched with anything I’ve seen at local level,” Cleef said.

“He loves a diver drive. He respected the good balls early on but then he was very strong straight and, like a typical lefty, through point as well.

“It was a dream to watch and good to see because he’s put in a lot of effort in the pre season and has come out firing in round one.”

Cleef said Delaney played his role perfectly at No.3.

“He took them on and played a few risky shots, rode his luck a little bit but hit them very, very clean,” he said.

Cleef said young Halton, who also kept wickets, was a well-organised player.

“He’s going to be a very good cricketer,” he said.

“He’s not a huge hitter, he’ll try and work the ball and rotate the strike. He’s very good at finding gaps as well.

“His mentality and technique are going to set him apart from a lot, I said to him from the start of pre season, ‘it’s going to be a big step but we’re going to have you opening’.

“I said, ‘I don’t care if you fail or succeed, I’m going to keep you there and push you through and get you that experience’, and he’s grabbed it with both hands and started off with a lovely 40.”

With the ball, Devon Meadows paceman Coby Podd grabbed 3-18 off six overs to put Gembrook on the back foot before Cleef chimed in with 4-16 off eight.

Ligt capped a great game when he took 1-0, dismissing Gembrook captain Timmy Gray for 71.

Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll scored an impressive nine-wicket win over Lang Lang.

Carter Davis (2-24), Ash Bailey (0-9 off 8) and Nick Mueller (2-37) bowled well to restrict Lang Lang to 7-146 off 40.

The Gooners then coasted to 1-147 off 37 overs, with James Markland (75no, with 6 fours) and Mansoor Ahmad (44) in total control.

Upper Beaconsfield opener Imesh Jayasekara peeled off 73 not out to steer his side (2-130 off 29 overs) to a resounding win over Cranbourne Meadows (129).

Taylor Joyce was also in nice touch, making 36.

Upper Beaconsfield’s Dan Brennan used the new ball well, taking 3-28 off seven, while Andrew McDonald (2-23) and Will Haines (2-18) also performed well.

Impressive bowling and fielding set up Emerald’s six-wicket win over Pakenham Upper Toomuc.

Bailey Tucker (2-16) and Sam Stapleton (3-30) made key strikes early before Clinton Marsh (3-22) chimed in.

In reply, Emerald captain Owen Thorne cracked an unbeaten 75 as his side achieved victory with eight overs to spare.