CCCA: Devon Meadows openers Lucas Ligt and Will Halton plunder centuries
A Devon Meadows teenager scored his maiden century and a star of the comp peeled off a third century for the season in Casey Cardinia Cricket Association.
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The first of many.
Devon Meadows’ 17-year-old opener Will Halton raised his bat for his maiden century on Saturday as the Panthers continued their march to the Casey Cardinia Cricket Association finals.
Halton hit the first and last ball for four as Devon Meadows chased down Cranbourne Meadows’ 228 without losing a wicket.
The Panthers replied with 0-229 off 34.4 overs, with Halton making 105 (off 109 balls, with 11 fours) and Lucas Ligt 111 (off 107, with 13 fours and 1 six).
It was Ligt’s third century of the season, to go with knocks of 148 and 119no, cementing his status as the most authoritative opener in the association.
Devon Meadows captain-coach Chris Cleef said the Halton and Ligt partnership was chanceless.
“They were dominant from ball one,” he said.
“The first ball went for four and the last ball went for four as well — both by Will.’’
Cleef said Halton, who kept wickets before batting, showed great resilience in 37 degree heat.
“He was in a helmet for 39 overs in the field (wicket) keeping and then he opened the batting and batted all the way through,” Cleef said.
“He had a couple of vomits. He was pretty crook but he guided us well.”
Halton is in Casey South Melbourne’s Dowling Shield side and will back up in a series of matches this week.
“He’s very crafty, he’s good at finding gaps,” Cleef said.
“It helps that the ground is bone dry and lightning quick so if he finds a gap it’s four.
“He’s come a long way, with a bit more confident and backing himself now.
“I spoke to him before the season started and I said, ‘you’re going to be opening every game regardless of what happens’.
“I’m sure he will go a long way. The first of many (centuries) to come hopefully.”
Halton is up to 366 runs, at 52.29, in Devon’s First XI this season.
Cleef said Ligt was fresh as a daisy after his clean-hitting display.
“He was seeing them like beach balls, he’s just naturally talented left hander,” he said.
“He walked off the ground and didn’t look like he was fazed at all.”
Devon Meadows sits on top of the CCCA District ladder, with Cleef saying the Panthers are “definitely on a mission”.
“We’ve turned at the Christmas break and hopefully we go undefeated for the rest of the year,” he said.
Nar Nar Goon/Maryknoll opener James Markland was stumped for 99 in his side’s win over Gembrook.
Markland put away 10 boundaries in his 107-ball stay, combining with Greg Interlandi (63) to help his side to 6-241.
Markland capped a great game with 3-25 as Gembrook was dismissed for 179 in reply.
Imesh Jayasekara smashed 97, with 7 fours and 5 sixes, in Upper Beaconsfield’s win over Pakenham Upper Toomuc. Chad McDonald with 4-36 was also impressive.
In Premier, Tooradin opener Josh Lownds made 104 off 116 balls (with 8 fours) to set up the Seagulls’ whopping 3-277 off 40 overs against Carlisle Park Vikings (200).
Cal O’Hare (53) and Dylan Sutton (40no) were also in the runs for Tooradin.
Koo Wee Rup opener Luke McMaster made 99 off 98 balls as the Demons completed a rousing run chase victory over Clyde.
Gamini Kumara (82no) and Chris Bright (47) chimed in as the Demons hurried to 3-238 in reply to Clyde’s 7-236.
Pakenham (1-195) coasted to victory over Officer (194), with Dale Tormey (60no off 37 balls), Chris Smith (56 off 44 balls) and Jack Anning (57no) in dominant form.
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