Premier Cricket: Casey South Melbourne opener Luke Manders hits sparkling century

Comeback opener Luke Manders started the second half of the Premier Cricket season with a rollicking century against Essendon.

Luke Manders takes in applause for his century for the Swans. Pic: Jackson Fry World of Photography.

From Will Carr: “It was a tremendous knock, just tremendous.’’

From Jackson Fry: “One of the great centuries.’’

From Craig “Doc’’ Lambden: “It was in my top three innings at Casey South Melbourne.’’

Casey South Melbourne opener Luke Manders had praise being showered on him after his unbeaten century against Essendon at Casey Fields on Saturday.

The right-hander blitzed 107 off 86 balls as the hosts raced to 1-158 off 27.3 overs in reply to the Bombers’ 7-157.

It put the Swannies seventh the ladder with three wins, three losses and a draw.

Manders hit 15 fours and 3 sixes on his way to his second three-figure score in Victorian Premier Cricket.

His first came four years ago, but he left the club at the end of 2017-18.

Now living in Foster in South Gippsland and working as a plumber, Manders returned to the Swans before Christmas.

Casey South Melbourne coach Carr hadn’t seen him bat. But after throwing a few balls to him in the nets he was in no doubt about his ability.

Luke Manders in his first stint with the Swans.

The selectors put Manders straight in the First XI. He was run out for two against Footscray, but in the following round he scored 49 against Dandenong and then he dashed off 65 in a Super Slam match on December 21.

“It was pretty bloody good,’’ Carr said this morning of Manders’ ton.

“I don’t remember seeing too many better. He hit the ball to all parts of the ground and the only shot he didn’t play was the reverse sweep. He drove through the off and on, he hooked, he pulled, he cut, he late cut, he swept. It was a tremendous knock, just tremendous. It came as no surprise. He was building towards it.’’

He called Manders a “proper batter’’ and a popular member of the team.

Manders and Ashley Chandrasinghe (35) put on 116 as the Swans zipped towards their target.

Earlier, paceman Nathan Lambden split the Bombers open by grabbing the first three wickets, including the coveted scalp of former Victorian player Michael Hill for a blob.

The right-armer finished with 3-33 off his 10 overs.

Spinners Ruwantha Kellepotha (0-18 off 10) and Luke Shelton (2-23 off 10) turned screws into the holes created by Lambden.

And Cal Dodson did his bit with 2-21 off six.

The Swans visit Geelong (12th on the ladder) next Saturday.

“For us to improve as a team and as a club, we’ve got to beat the teams below us and challenge the teams around us and pinch one or two over the teams above us,’’ Carr said.

“That’s how you progress. We’ve been able to do that thus far. We like to think we can go down to Geelong and play well and the outcome will look after itself.’’