Zach Rattray’s six count soars to 52 this season in the South East Cricket Association

Master blaster: Cheltenham Park’s Zach Rattray has hit more than 50 sixes this season – and says the feeling of clearing the boundary ‘doesn’t get old’.

Zach Rattray and his Gray-Nicolls Prestige.

Zach Rattray blasted his third century of the season for Cheltenham Park on Saturday.

And as he did he hit another notable mark – a half-century of sixes.

With his Gray-Nicolls Prestige bat, Rattray has now cleared the boundary a remarkable 52 times this season for Chelt Park’s First XI, which plays in the South East Cricket Association’s Quiney Shield.

SECA observers believe no batsman at any level of Victorian cricket has made umpires raise their hands as often as the burly 21-year-old.

Rattray’s innings of 101 off 43 balls against Le Page Park on Saturday took in 7 sixes, one of them a cut shot over the clubrooms at Le Page Reserve.

His other centuries this season were made at the small Cheltenham Park ground.

He cracked 120 not out off 42 deliveries – with 12 sixes and 10 fours – against Bentleigh Uniting and 131 off 53 balls – with 15 sixes and 5 fours – against East Sandringham.

Rattray earned attention last season for his helter-skelter centuries for Cheltenham Park in D grade.

He clattered 23 sixes in an innings of 208 off 72 balls against Melbourne Dazzlers and 29 sixes in a knock of 229 off 65 balls against East Oakleigh.

He’s been just as dominant this season in the higher standard of Quiney Shield.

“I know we have small ground at Chelt, but even on the bigger ovals he’s clearing the pickets,’’ Cheltenham Park skipper Pat Reaby said.

“People assumed he was just bully-bashing in D Grade but he’s better than that.’’

Reaby said Rattray was maturing as a batsman and scoring all around the ground.

He’s had a little luck too.

“Against East Sandy he got dropped on the second ball of the day and went on to make 130 off 50 balls,’’ Reaby said. “That’s how it goes with a player like that. You don’t want to drop him early.’’

Zach Rattray is in punishing for Cheltenham Park.

He pointed out that Rattray’s six count would be higher if the team hadn’t missed four matches – two because of Covid.

Unsurprisingly, Rattray said he was enjoying his cricket.

“Loving it. I’m really happy with how I’m going and how the team is going (Cheltenham Park is first on the ladder),’’ he said.

As for the sixes, he said the feeling “doesn’t get old’’.

“It’s always good to see them go over,’’ he said.

Reaby said the club had a young squad and was working towards competing in Woolnough Shield, the second tier of the SECA.

ZAC RATTRAY’S SIX COUNT

Round 3: 12 sixes against Bentleigh Uniting

Round 4: 1 six against East Sandringham

Round 5: 5 sixes against Hampton United

Round 10: 1 six against Bentleigh Uniting

Round 11: 15 sixes against East Sandringham

Round 12: 11 sixes against Hampton United

Round 13: 7 sixes against Le Page Park