Vic Super Slam: Nic Maddinson in smashing form for Saints in Twenty20

Nic Maddinson hit one of the biggest sixes at Frankston’s Jubilee Park as the Vic Super Slam blasted off on Sunday.

Nic Maddinson was in blazing form for the Saints on the opening day of the Vic Super Slam at Frankston on Sunday.

Nic Maddinson hit one of the biggest sixes at Frankston’s Jubilee Park as the Vic Super Slam blasted off on Sunday.

The former Test man had spectators ducking for cover during his brutal knock of 61 off 40 balls for the Saints in their easy win over the Heat at Adrian Butler Oval.

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He smashed 3 sixes — one landing halfway up the hill towards the train track, another reaching his teammates sitting under the pavilion and, the biggest of all, a 120m bomb that cleared the curator’s shed.

Maddinson rocked back and hit a slightly short delivery from the Heat’s Brodie Symons high and long behind square leg.

Chasing the Heat’s 105 (Will Crowder 33no and Malinga Bandara 18), the Saints (3-107) swept to victory in only 12.1 overs. Jon Merlo also hit the ball hard to finish unbeaten on 37 off 25 balls (with 2 sixes).

Former Perth Scorchers and Adelaide Strikers left-hander Craig Simmons goes into bat for the Saints.

But it wasn’t all plain sailing for the Saints.

They got off to a bad start when marquee signing Craig Simmons was run out for a diamond duck (without facing a ball).

His opening partner Michael De Iacovo called for a quick single but Nick Boland’s under-arm throw was a direct hit, sending Simmons on his way and leaving many of the few hundred spectators, who were looking forward to seeing the former Perth Scorcher in action, disappointed.

That brought Maddinson to the crease and he swung hard at just about every ball he faced.

“It was good fun,’’ he said after the game.

The former NSW left-hander will play with the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash.

The Saints (2-101 off 13.1 overs) had a similarly easy win over the Hawks (97) in their other game, with Maddinson (31no off 29), Merlo (32no off 22) and De Iacovo (27 off 21) in crisp form.

The Super Slam continues on Tuesday, at 5.15pm.

Games:

Stars Conference: Heat v Rams at AH Butler Oval, Swans v Tigers at Casey Fields, Panthers v Magpies at Shepley Oval, Saints v True Blues at Harry Trott Oval.

Renegades Conference: Kangaroos v Dogs at Greenvale Reserve, Cats v Blues at Geelong Cricket Ground, Lions v Demons at Schramms Reserve, Uni v Dragons at university Main Oval.