Cricket Southern Bayside: Mentone batter blasts 105 off 33 balls

A former Victorian Premier star produced an incredible hitting display in Cricket Southern Bayside — but it was a gesture after his innings that earned the respect of his opposition.

Neil Schlittler smashed 105no off 33 balls for Mentone’s father-son side.

He made a habit of smashing Victoria’s best bowlers to all parts during a splendid career with Prahran.

Neil Schlittler had the nickname “The Hurry Master’’, such was the speed by which he would accumulate his runs.

Now at 45, it seems nothing has changed.

Playing in Mentone’s father-son one-day side alongside his son Will, Schlittler smashed 105 not out off 33 balls against Cheltenham on Sunday.

And he did so from No. 9.

“We tried to hide him down the order,” the side’s captain Dave Kinsella said.

Schlittler blasted 51 off 19 balls before retiring in the game at Jack Barker Oval in Cheltenham.

After wickets fell, he went back in, facing another 14 balls and hitting 55 runs, including a massive six over mid-wicket off the last ball of the innings that brought up his century.

“He basically hit them all over the place,” Kinsella said.

“Probably the best shot was a reverse sweep that went for four.

“He actually told the kids in the nets to move at one stage because he was targeting that area.

“He actually yelled out, ‘boys, just keep your wits about you because it’s coming your way’.”

Schlittler even pulled in the opposition side straight after his innings and gave encouragement and advice during an impromptu motivational speech.

“He said, ‘stick at it and keep bowling in your areas’,” Kinsella said.

“He’s great to bat with for our younger blokes because he talks to to them through the whole innings, gets them running between wickets, all the basic stuff, which is great for us.”

Mentone's father-son side. Picture: Facebook

Mentone’s Darley Cross and Tom Elliott — both Under 14s — scored their maiden half centuries during the innings, with Cross making 52 off 67 balls and Elliott 55 off 40.

Schlittler’s innings included 12 fours and 6 sixes.

The former Prahran captain scored 6460 runs in 233 First XI games in Premier Cricket.