Cricket Southern Bayside: Bentleigh’s overseas recruit smashes seven sixes

Bentleigh’s English recruit has surprised teammates with his brute power during a blazing knock of 130 in Cricket Southern Bayside.

Ben Seabrook has made a big start at Bentleigh. Picture: Facebook

Bentleigh’s overseas players have played starring roles in its season-opening victory in CSB Championship division.

Cambridge MCCU batter Ben Seabrook and Jamaican paceman Jermaine Levy were front and centre in the Demons’ eight-run win over Murrumbeena on Saturday.

Seabrook, who has played three first-class matches, smashed 130 from 100 balls, with 10 fours and seven sixes, as Bentleigh put up 6-223.

“It appears he can play a bit,” Bentleigh skipper Jarrad Dowling said.

“He played beautifully.

“When he had his first net, just immediately you could tell how hard he hits the ball and how good his hands are.

“And what impressed us so much on the weekend was his temperament, his composure and his ability to go through gears and construct an innings.”

Shane Jeffree batting for Bentleigh. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Bentleigh opener Shane Jeffree made 50 and shared a 123-run third wicket partnership with Seabrook.

Levy, who arrived in the country only a day before the game, delivered a crucial spell at the “death” to help restrict Murrumbeena to 5-215.

“He was tired, man,” Dowling said.

“He got here the day before…he was exhausted.

“We put the offer to him if he wanted to play or not and he didn’t even think about it.

“By the end of the afternoon he was bowling a death spell in a situation that was getting close, virtually in a zombie like state, he was very sleepy.

“But he bowled a really well-executed spell at the death.

“We’re pretty happy with the fact he does actually bowl rockets and I’m looking forward to seeing him with a full tank of energy.”

Levy finished with 0-36 off eight overs, while young Bentleigh bowler Tully Foot started well with 3-34 and Mordialloc recruit Chamindu Mathra snared 2-42.

Manjula Guruge took 3-13 off eight overs for Murrumbeena. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Meanwhile, Lewis Mildenhall scored his fifth century for South Caulfield in its win over Championship newcomers Mentone.

Mildenhall made 101 not out off 98 balls, with 9 fours and 1 six, as South put up 5-219. Josh O’Donnell also impressed with 62 and Brad Erasmus cracked 43 off 46 balls.

In reply, Mentone crashed to be all out for 95. English seamer Harry Bates made an impressive start with 3-29, while fellow recruit Jak Jowett claimed 2-21 and Matt McCallum snared 3-19.

Beaumaris’ bowlers came to the rescue as it rolled Bonbeach for 124 to secure a 37-run win.

Ben Earney grabbed 3-24 with the new ball while Jonathan Leadbeater (3-21) and Chris Hall (2-22) also struck telling blows.

South Australian recruit George Hankins blasted 69 (9 fours and 2 sixes) to steer Mordialloc 5-199 past Hampton’s 196 with eight overs left.