Casey Cardinia association: Devon Meadows batsman blasts fourth ton of season

Lucas Ligt says “a few factors” are behind his stunning form that has seen him peel off four centuries for Devon Meadows this season.

Devon Meadows' four century makers this round, from left, Lucas Ligt, Lachie O'Beirne, Jason Brzezowski and Peter O'Brien.

He’s in the form of his life.

But as the runs and centuries pile up, Lucas Ligt admits he’s even surprising himself.

The Devon Meadows opener scored 105 not out, his fourth century this Casey Cardnia season, in the Panthers’ win over Upper Beaconsfield on Saturday.

Ligt smashed 148 in the opening round, hit 119no a fortnight later and has punched out 111no and 105no since the Christmas break.

He’s up to 642 runs, at 91.70.

“It’s just luck I think,” Ligt said modestly.

“I just go out and bat. I’m as shocked as anyone I think at the moment.

“Even this week, I was like, ‘surely I can’t go again’ and I did…but I got lucky, I got dropped on about 15.”

Lucas Ligt in full flight. Picture: Facebook

With four tons under his belt in a season, Ligt has entered uncharted territory.

It could be an association record.

“The club spoke about it last week, their record was three in a year and I equaled that the other week and then this week I definitely went to the most centuries in a year at the club,” Ligt said.

“I don’t know, it’s still sort of surreal.”

At 31, and recently a new dad (to daughter Taytum), Ligt says he’s “in a good place” in life, and his cricket performances reflect it.

Asked to pinpoint reasons for his hot form, he said “there’s a few factors’’.

“One is my opening partner, Will (Halton),” he said.

“He’s a young kid with heaps of talent who wants to go through Premier Cricket and stuff like that.

“I’m enjoying batting with him because it makes me feel like I’ve got to show him the right way to go about things, so it makes me bring out the best in myself.

“I think we compliment each other and that makes a massive difference.

“Also, I’ve just had a baby in December.

“I was talking to Cal O’Hare from Tooradin and I said, ‘oh I don’t know how I’ll go with no sleep”, and he was like once you have a baby cricket gets easier and to be honest it feels like it has.

“There are little stresses you used to worry about in cricket that are not there anymore.

“I just feel like I’m in a really good place, I’m just enjoying all of it.”

As for goals in the remaining six weeks of the season, Ligt says there’s only one, a premiership.

Devon Meadows, with nine wins, sits atop the CCCA District ladder, clear of Upper Beaconsfield, Lang Lang and Cranbourne Meadows.

“A premiership would top it off,” Ligt said.

Meanwhile, it was a huge day for Devon Meadows, with all five teams winning — the second time this season that’s happened.

The club now has four of its five sides on top of the ladder.

Flashback: Peter Zauner batting for Devon Meadows in 2007.

There were some big milestones, too, with four players, including Ligt, scoring a hundred this round:

*Jason Brzezowski got his last week (his third for the club).

*After 36 years playing cricket at Devon Meadows, life member Peter O’Brien finally scored his first century. His brother Darren holds the club record for runs and centuries said, “About time”.

*Lachie O’Beirne scored his first career half century in the 34th over of Saturday’s B grade game, and in the 51st over brought up his maiden ton.

Eight Devon Meadows players have now scored centuries this season, 11 tons in total.

Also, Peter Zauner scored his 5000th run for the club on Saturday, Luke Howard scored his 3000th, and Shane Fisher his 1000th.

Excelling with bat and ball, Devon Meadows, across the five senior teams, made 22/1136 and took 55/709 in this round..

It was certainly a round to remember at Pantherland.