Women's Premier Cricket: Tiana Atkinson hits maiden century for Dandenong

It’s been a fine few months for Dandenong opener Tiana Atkinson, with her elevation to the state squad and her elation at making a Premier century.

Tiana Atkinson hits out on her way to a century on Sunday. Pic: Chris Thomas, Cricket Victoria.

Tiana Atkinson set herself a goal to score a century in women’s Premier Cricket this season.

She achieved it in the first match.

A blast through mid-wicket took the Dandenong opener to her maiden ton on Sunday, against Plenty Valley at Shepley Oval.

“I haven’t really processed it yet, but incredible,’’ the 19-year-old said on Monday when asked what it was like to put up three figures in Premier Cricket.

“It’s kind of coming to me and it feels really good.’’

Atkinson finished on 112 not out in a six-wicket win for the Panthers.

It was her second century – she scored her first at Under 16 level in the Youth Premier League.

Tiana Atkinson laces a ball through cover. Pic: Chris Thomas, Cricket Victoria.

Atkinson said the bowlers did well to dismiss Plenty Valley for 164 and she felt relaxed – “it was the most relaxed I’ve ever felt in a game’’ - when she went out to bat.

She was not out when the winning runs came.

“I could focus and everything was clear and it just worked. I just decided to run with it,’’ she said of her innings.

“I feel like I’ve set myself a high bar now! I want to build on it for the rest of the season. I know it’s not all going to be perfect but I want to spend a lot of time out there.’’

Atkinson was determined to score a century this season after hitting four half-centuries in 2020-21.

They helped lift her aggregate to 499 runs at 33.3, enough to have her promoted to the Victorian squad.

“That was incredible,’’ she said.

Training with the Vics had been an eye-opener and a confidence-booster.

“It’s been an unbelievable experience training among all those players. We were lucky enough to have all the Australian girls there as well so everyone was in the one space,’’ she said.

“Being around them and seeing how they go about things is incredible in itself, and having so many Dandenong girls in the squad as well made things easier. The coaches and the girls have been so welcoming. It’s a whole new level you and learn so much. I think I’ve improved so much.’’

She said it would be “incredible’’ to play for Victoria this season.

“It’s been a goal since I started playing,’’ she said.

“To be in the squad, I’m so happy with that. But I would love to play a game and put myself forward.’’

Tiana Atkinson (left) and Jordan Watson as Vic under-age selections in 2017.

Atkinson started playing cricket at Mornington, when she was 11, with the boys (and she remains grateful to the club for its support).

She made the move to Prahran when she was 14, crossing to Dandenong in 2019-20 to cut down on the travel for her parents.

Atkinson made 301 runs at 18.1 in her first season and almost 200 more in her second as the Panthers swept the premiership.

“I’ve loved Dandenong so much,’’ she said. “The culture’s incredible, the team’s incredible. Everyone wants to see each other succeed and do well for each other. I think that’s part of the reason we had success last season. Every game we fought tooth and nail.’’

Atkinson is training with the Vics three times a week in between her part-time university studies (space science at RMIT).

Uni is finished for the year and “now I can just focus on cricket for a while’’.

That might be bad news for bowlers in women’s Premier Cricket.