Victorian Premier Cricket: Harry Kannan’s 77 sets up Swans for rousing win over Prahran

Casey South Melbourne fielded four newcomers at Toorak Park as it toppled the reigning premier on day one of the Premier Cricket season.

Swans first-gamers (L-R) Ruwantha Kellepotha, Jordan Gilmore, Evan Alleway and Luke Shelton.

What a brilliant beginning to the Premier Cricket season for Casey South Melbourne.

The Swans could not have started 2020-21 under new coach William “Will’’ Carr in more style or with a bigger scalp.

Going in with four fresh First XI players, they up-ended reigning premier Prahran in a rousing performance at Toorak Park on Saturday.

On a dry wicket with cracks and producing uneven bounce, the visitors raised 8-211 and dismissed the True Blues for 168.

“They were pretty much at full strength and we were the better side on the day,’’ Carr said.

“We played well and we should enjoy that.

“At the same time we know that one win doesn’t make a summer. There’s still a lot of work to do but it’s a good early reward we can build on.’’

On debut, leg-spinner Ruwantha Kellepotha bowled exceptionally well for 3-24 off 10 overs.

He had 3-12 off his first six, removing class trio Damon Egan, Jake Hancock and James Billington.

The former Sri Lankan first-class player was recruited from Dandenong association club Berwick, where he won the Wookey Medal as best player in the competition last season.

He’s going to ask some questions of good batsmen in Premier Cricket.

The Swans also had the experienced spinner Luke Shelton, batsman Jordan Gilmore and 18-year-old left-arm fast bowler Evan Alleway playing their first First XI matches for the club.

Alleway, called up to replace an unwell Cal Dodson, could count dashing Prahran opener Nick Blaich as his first wicket.

Jackson Fry claimed the True Blues’ other lashing leftie, Lachlan Bangs.

Harry Kannan walks off after his excellent 77.

Quickie Nathan Lambden (3-40) finished off the hosts in the 47th over.

Earlier, 17-year-old Harry Kannan took the Swans past 200 with his excellent hand off 77, off 114 balls and with the sparkle of 5 fours and a six over mid-wicket.

It was the left-hander’s first half-century in Premier Cricket.

Kannan joined the club last season and has quickly become one of the most promising players in the competition.

The Swans batted him at No 4 and he looked not an inch of out place.

Carr thought it was an “outstanding’’ innings on a wicket that tested batsmen.

“He’s not 18 yet and he showed maturity beyond his years,’’ he said.

“As his innings went on he started to expand his game, got creative towards the end, manufactured some shots on a tricky wicket, used the angles and crease. Terrific innings and it set us up for a competitive total.’’

Kannan and wicketkeeper Devin Pollock put on 66 for the fourth wicket.

Pollock hit 25 before copping ball from Matt Wilcox that grubbed along the pitch.

The wickie had replaced Gilmore, who made 22. He looked an organised and neat player and was batting well until he was spectacularly caught by Prahran captain Hancock.

Gilmore pumped a pull shot off Bangs, only to see Hancock leap at mid-wicket and pluck a one-hander. Gilmore threw back his head in disbelief.

Ian Crawford ahead of the Prahran flag unfurling.

Openers Ashley Chandrasinghe (28) and Lachie Sperling (18) also looked comfortable before edging behind.

Chandrasinghe spent the off-season in Darwin making a stack of runs and it showed in the first over of the innings when he flicked Wilcox to leg for four and laced him through cover for another boundary.

Casey South Melbourne official “Doc’’ Lambden is adamant the young left-hander should already be in the state squad.

Prahran unveiled young paceman Bailey Moon, recruited from Richmond, and although he went wicketless he caught the eye with his easy action and pace.

Carr assessed him as a tremendous prospect.

“I hadn’t seen him before but there’s lots to like about him,’’ he said.

Nick Boland took the spoils with 5-40 off his 10 overs for Prahran, which gave legendary administrator Ian Crawford the honour of unfurling the 2020-21 premiership flag.

A minute of silence was also observed in remembrance of club greats David Jukes, Col Hyland and Arthur Davie.

The Second XI match was a cracker, with Casey South Melbourne winning on the last ball.

And the Swans unveiled an exciting young leggie in the Fourth XI, with Narre Warren’s Sujan Hulangamuwa taking 5-22 from nine overs.