ABC sports commentator Paul Kennedy and son Gus share century partnership

ABC sports commentator Paul Kennedy and his 12-year-old son Gus came together on Saturday and put together a memorable and matchwinning partnership. They lead off our spotlight on the weekend’s best performances in local cricket.

ABC sports commentator Paul Kennedy with his son Gus.

FATHER AND SON FABULOUS

The Carrum Third XI was in the soup against Langwarrin when the Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association began on Saturday, slumping to 4-5. Enter ABC sports wiz Paul Kennedy and his 12-year-old son Gus. The Kennedys settled in for an unbeaten 146-run partnership, with “PK’’ cracking 106 not out and young Gus a chanceless 32 not out. “Just a lucky slogger,’’ Kennedy replied to congrats for his hand. Kennedy’s great mate and fellow media man Adam Cooper and his son have joined the Kennedys for a hit at Carrum this season. “Coops’’ opened the bowling and sent down eight overs off the reel. Kennedy and Age court ace Cooper became pals when working at Leader in the 1990s. The collaboration between Kennedy senior and junior helped Carrum to a first-up victory.

RUNS IN THE FAMILY

Another member of the Kennedy clan had a day to remember on Saturday, too. Matt Kennedy — PK’s nephew — bowled Delacombe Park’s First XI to victory over Crib Point with a haul of 5-15 off 8 overs. The tall 17-year-old paceman had the ball jagging around and at one stage was on a hat-trick. “Kenno’s a star,’’ Delacombe Park keeper Tim Clarke said of Matt, who is the son of Seaford footy identity Steve. “He is six foot two and uses his height well. He has serious talent.’’

Jonno Curtis of South Caulfield.

BRILLIANT BAG

Jono Curtis is a left-arm spinner for South Caulfield’s Championship team in Cricket Southern Bayside. Well, sort of. He says he doesn’t spin them. “I’ve never turned a ball in my life. Zero,’’ he said on Sunday when asked about his bowling. But the 25-year-old fire sprinkler fitter had a day out on Saturday, nabbing 6-5 off eight overs against a hapless Parkdale. He sent down five maidens, showing accuracy is one of his virtues. “The majority of them (victims) were caught on the boundary,’’ Curtis said with another laugh. “But it doesn’t tell you that in the scorebook! I just try to put them on the spot, to be honest. Good win for the team, that’s the most important thing.’’ South Caulfield swept to 0-96 off 17 overs in reply to Parkdale’s 92.

Rohan Best of Clayton Districts.

HE’S THE BEST

Still at Cricket Southern Bayside, and Clayton Districts staged a traditional smoking ceremony for NAIDOC Week. And the club’s indigenous representative players had starring roles in its thumping win over Carnegie in Division 2. Alex Kerr, who prepared the fire for the ceremony, made a crisp 40 from the opening slot. And captain Rohan Best nabbed 5-13 with his left-arm spin. Both joined the Clays this season from McKinnon, strengthening a team coached by former Premier First XI bowler Jak Jowett. It wasn’t all bad news for the Neggie: Glenn Murphy included a hat-trick in his haul of 5-28 in Division 4. He picked up four wickets in one over against Aspendale.

‘BOOMER’ BLASTS OFF

In the South East Cricket Association, Omega batsmen Matthew Caia and Glenn Beckett were in mid-season form in the Woolnough Shield match against Cluden. The pair put on 204 runs for the third wicket, Beckett smoking 127 off only 82 balls, with 9 fours and 9 sixes. Caia’s 97 came off 106 deliveries and included 5 fours and 6 sixes as the Ommies piled up 8-257 from their 40 overs. Beckett went from 78 to 102 in four balls; no wonder they call him “Boomer’’. Omega also had a century-maker in G Grade, with Sandeep Beniwal cracking 111 not out against Mackie.

Glenn Beckett of Omega.

MILESTONE MAN

A major milestone is coming up in SECA. This Saturday Brad Mentiplay will play his 300th game for Le Page Park Cricket Club. Mentiplay first turned out for Le Page in 1993 and has been a wonderful servant of the club, doing every job possible. Apart from his 15 years on the committee, where he was treasurer for five years, he has been the bar manager, purchased match balls, council liaison officer, chairman of selectors, grounds manager, social events co-ordinator, fundraising committee … all this while playing cricket. He is always thinking of ways to make the club better and stronger both on and off the field. His wife, Katy, and children Peter and Annie have also been instrumental around the club.

Brad Mentiplay batting for Le Page Park.

Peter is a three-time First XI Premiership player and Katy’s tireless work in the canteen and at functions has never waned. Katy was joint best club person with Brad in 2006-07. The family’s love for the club and the people within it is second to none. Brad played in two Fourth XI flags eight years apart. A dashing right-hand opener and excellent wicketkeeper, he has amassed more than 4400 runs and taken 270 scalps behind the stumps. Making him milestone the more significant, his good friend Dave Trease will play his 250th on the same day.

SPORTING ALLROUNDER

Clint Proctor was a good player in the VFL, and he’s well regarded as a coach too (he’s on Williamstown’s panel). On Saturday Proctor showed his cricketing skills for Koonung Heights in the Box Hill Reporter District association, blitzing 116 against St Davids in Dorothy McIntosh Shield. He also took a star turn with the ball, capturing 3-10 off his four overs.

Clint Proctor playing for Frankston in the VFL.

DASHING DIL

Seaford swashbuckler Dil Pageni has set an early benchmark for the fastest century of the season. Pageni blasted a ton off only 50 balls in a whirlwind start to the season on Saturday, finishing with 117 off 64 balls against Tyabb in MPCA Sub District. He packed seven sixes into the innings, with one massive blow — a switch-hit, no less — landing in between vehicles in a nearby car park. Seaford skipper Ryan McQueen believes Pageni is the most destructive batsman in the MPCA. “Who in the MPCA hits the ball harder and longer than Dil?’’ McQueen said.

HELTER-SKELTER HERRICK

Former Victorian paceman Jayde Herrick’s Langwarrin debut in the MPCA on Saturday was overshadowed by a brilliant display of leg-spin bowling by teammate Matt Prosser. His five-over burst of spin, control and subtle variation sent Baden Powell crashing all out for 61. Herrick bowled with fire to snare 2-7.