VSDCA: Rising Malvern star Will Beattie emerged after surviving as a night watchman
A young Malvern opener is starting to grab attention in the VSDCA. Roosters skipper Tom Rickarby recalls how he took his chance as a nightwatchman and hasn’t looked back.
South East
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An opportunity was there, and Will Beattie took it.
At the late stages of last season, Beattie was in Malvern’s First XI solely as a left-arm spinner, working at his craft under the guidance of ex-Test tweaker Michael Beer.
With only a small period left to bat in the day, a call went out in the Roosters’ change rooms – they wanted a nightwatchman.
The typically No.9 or 10 listed teenager jumped at the opportunity to see off the new ball.
Beattie survived the night and made it to drinks the following day.
This season, Beattie has opened the batting for the Roosters in each of their five starts and has 191 runs at an average of 47.75 to date.
On Saturday, he, along with skipper Tom Rickarby (84 not out), steered the Roosters to a nine-wicket win over reigning premiers Caulfield with 89 not out.
Rickarby recalled the moment Beattie stepped up as a night watchmen, declaring his determination then and now as his greatest strengths at the top.
“His maturity beyond his years is what has really impressed me,” he said.
“He’s gone about it in a smart fashion, thought his way through different situations and he’s surprised a few people.
“He batted nine and 10 for us last year and he got a chance to night watch in one of the games and he did a really good job, he got through to drinks the next day.
“That’s what caught my eye, to be honest, his determination and just batting smart – he’s blown us away with his talent and the way he’s attacked the new ball.”
Rickarby sees a strong career ahead for Beattie and thinks this Subbies season will be extremely beneficial for him in the long run if he is to play Premier Cricket.
“If he wants to take that on, then absolutely good luck to him, hopefully Subbies is giving him a good grounding of experience to bring both skills in the future,” he said.
“If he went to Premier at the back end of last year, he would’ve only brought one of those skills, just his bowling because he hadn’t had a chance with the bat yet.
“Hopefully we can set him up for the future, whether that be with us or a greater responsibility at a Premier Club.
“Hopefully he goes next year a lot better set up than what he could’ve been at the back end of last year.”
The result is the Roosters’ third win of the season and the Fielders’ first defeat.
Elsewhere, Elsternwick continued its dream start with another good win.
LJ Edwards (45 not out) and Michael Edwards (32 not out) guided the Eels home in a short chase against a struggling Endeavour Hills.
Balwyn clung on for a one-wicket win over Ormond, chasing the Monders’ 10-163 with two balls to spare.
No.9 Harrison Goad walked in at 7-82 before making 46 not out to win the match.
Sahan Perera continued his strong season with 92 as Noble Park claimed a 43-run win over Port Melbourne.
An unbeaten century from opener Nathan Pruscino headlined Mt Waverley’s score of 3-243, which proved too much for Croydon.
Moorabbin cruised to victory over Donvale, losing just three wickets in its chase of 121.
Skipper Renaldi Dias snared 3-12 in the first innings to set up the win.
Nathan Harford was the only Oakleigh bat to pass 47 in his innings of 109 not out.
His century helped the Oaks set Bayswater 3-211.
Each of the Oaks five bowlers claimed a wicket in the 110-run win.
Brighton openers Jason Soames (78) and Brenton Murphy (42) put on 101 before the fall of the first wicket, giving the Tonners the perfect start against Box Hill.
The visitors fell 96 runs short as Glen Parker (3-26) continued his commanding start to the summer in the second innings.
