Country Week cracker: Ninth ton for Casey Cardinia gun Lucas Ligt

A Casey Cardinia run machine has revealed what’s driving him after blasting his ninth century in 15 months on the opening day of Melbourne Country Week.

Lucas Ligt after his ton for Casey Cardinia on Monday.

Wielding his Kookaburra bat like a wand, Lucas Ligt announced himself as a Country Week big gun on Monday.

The stylish left-hander peeled off 142 not out — his ninth century in 15 months — to fire Casey Cardinia to a resounding win over a young Kingston Hawthorn outfit at Walter Galt Reserve in Parkdale.

He batted all 50 overs, his 163-ball stay including 8 fours and 4 sixes, while his dynamic opening partnership with Luke McMaster (58 off 50, with 8 fours and 3 sixes) yielded 127 in fast time.

Casey Cardinia racked up 6-314, with co-captains Dale Tormey (29) and Chris Bright (27) also in the runs.

In reply, Kingston Hawthorn made 8-184 off 50 overs, with Luke Stow making 51 not out and opener Prajay Paramesh 47.

Jason Williams (2-24), Travis Wheller (2-24) and Brad Butler (1-19) were the pick of the Casey Cardinia bowlers.

Lucas Ligt leaves the ground after scoring 142no.

Lucas Ligt after his unbeaten century.

Ligt, who plays for Devon Meadows in the CCCA, is one of the most prolific batters in country cricket, with 1002 runs last season and 794 runs so far this season.

He scored five centuries last season and has four this campaign, still with five weeks to go.

Ton after ton, he says he never gets bored of making runs.

“I think I just enjoy being out there,’’ he said.

“I kick myself when I do go out.’’

The 32-year-old estimates he’s scored 15 centuries all up after raising his bat for his first as a school boy.

“I got my first one at 14 at Cranbourne in E Grade,’’ he said.

“It took me a while. Then I went to England and I reckon I got four over there in the year I was there.

“Then nothing for a long time, maybe one at Cranny, and then they’ve just flowed at Devon.

“I think I’ve hit maybe 15 or somewhere there. Hopefully there’s a few more out there.’’

Ligt said he’s driven by the lure of playing in the Country Week final at the Albert Ground on Friday.

“That’s the plan,’’ he said.

The scoreboard at Walter Galt Reserve.

A humble Ligt said it was a buzz batting alongside Casey Cardinia’s best players.

“It’s good fun batting with guys in the comp who are just so good…like Lukey (McMaster), then a wicket falls and (Dale) Tormey walks out,’’ he said.

“It’s pretty easy to go about your business when they’re at the other end. You feel like you’re the second best batter out there all the time. It’s good.’’

On a day of big scores in Division 2, South West captain Johno Benallack made 107, Ballarat’s Thomas Le Lievre cracked 116, Bairnsdale opener Rohan Blandford made 113 and Hamilton opener Samuel Wilson scored 107 (retired not out) off 88 balls.

Casey Cardinia faces Ballarat at Port Melbourne in Round 2 on Tuesday.