Premier Cricket: Melbourne defeats Dandenong to claim the Warren Ayres Cup

It’s turning into a golden summer for Jack Harper, who steered Melbourne to victory over Dandenong at Shepley Oval.

Warren Ayres presents the Warren Ayres Cup to Melbourne skipper Blake Thomson. Pic: Liz Williamson World of Photography

Thankful for another fine innings from Jack Harper, Melbourne coach Ben Vague says the wicketkeeper-batsman should be considered for a Victorian Second XI match.

Harper played a matchwinning hand against Dandenong at Shepley Oval on Saturday to give the Demons the Warren Ayres Cup, named after the batsman who was so prolific at both clubs.

Ayres is coaching Dandenong and he watched on with a mix of resignation and admiration as Harper batted the visitors to victory.

They reached 5-196 in answer to Dandy’s 7-194, made on a pitch that kept the pace bowlers interested all day.

The Panthers could sense an upset when they removed Jack Prestwidge to leave Melbourne 5-120.

But Harper (74no) and Fergus O’Neill (41no) carried the Demons past their target.

Harper faced 100 balls, hit 2 sixes and 6 fours, and took his season tally to 601 runs at 75.1.

Throw in 137 Super Slam runs and he’s starting to get up in the numbers that Ayres peeled off season by golden season.

“He was the player we had to get out yesterday, and we couldn’t do it,’’ Ayres said.

“Nice player. Very nice player. Gee he played well, didn’t he?’’

Vague called Harper Melbourne’s “Mr Reliable’’.

He said Harper had played some free-flowing innings this season but he had to fight against Dandy.

“The ball seamed all day and he had to adapt and show determination to get through … he showed another string to his bow,’’ he said.

“He’s got to be in consideration for (state) Second XI cricket. He’s in the top three for runs – he’s averaging 75 and he’s got a strike rate of 90 – and he hasn’t missed a chance all season with the gloves.’’

The Demons needed his runs after Dandenong paceman Jake Thomas knocked over Melbourne captain Blake Thomson for 18 and had Campbell Kelleway snicking behind for a duck.

Sixteen-year-old Melbourne opener Harry DeMattia battled to 26 before edging leggie Gehan Seneviratne to keeper Sam Newell, a driving Charles Lill (9) also gave Newell a catch off the bowling of Braden Taueber and the worthy Thomas (3-40 off 10) had Prestwidge caught by Seneviratne.

At that point of the match Melbourne had work to do. But it also had Harper and the clean-hitting O’Neill at the creases, and they took the Demons through, with O’Neill’s 41 coming off only 45 balls.

Dandenong president Garry Davidson with first-game player Max Marinic.

In the Dandenong innings, captain Brett Forsyth crafted 60 off 106 deliveries before playing a delivery from Jackson Koop on to his stumps. It was a pleasing return to form for the skipper, who with few alarms put on 66 with his long-time opening partner Tom Donnell (27).

Cameron Forsyth batted well for his 46 off 61 balls, scurrying plenty of singles and launching a six over mid-wicket late in the innings.

Josh Slater, coming in at No 8, skipped to 24 not out off 25 balls.

With James Pattinson a late withdrawal from the side, Dandenong called up 17-year-old Max Marinic for a debut.

The right-hander opened his Premier Cricket run account with a lofted four down the ground off Melbourne leggie Kyle Williamson.

Williamson removed him two balls later and finished with 4-37 off his 10 overs, starting his haul with Donnell, who chipped to mid-wicket.

Ayres said it was a decent performance from the Panthers, who were the bright Pink Panthers for the day as the club raised money for The McGrath Foundation.

“I thought it was a good game of cricket,’’ he said.

“We were right in it at one stage and we kept fighting it out.

“It would have been nice to get around 220 but it wasn’t to be. Like I said, it was a competitive game, a good standard, and we matched them for most of it. We’re not that far away.’’

Melbourne is third on the ladder with 47 points, behind St Kilda (62) and Carlton (54).