CSB: Bentleigh 14yo Nick Critchley bats all day in Division 4 semi-final
A 14-year-old future star carried his bat in a Cricket Southern Bayside senior final, showing composure “not many senior blokes” would have.
Local Sport
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As the temperature soared to 39 degrees on Saturday, Bentleigh thirds opening batter Nick Critchley kept his cool.
And in one of the best performances in local cricket this season, the 14-year-old batted all day — the entire 80 overs — to make 72 not out off 228 balls against Brighton District in a Cricket Southern Bayside Division 4 semi-final.
His mighty knock guided the Demons to 186.
It was an amazing effort by a youngster in extreme heat while playing against men.
Critchley shared a 59-run partnership with good mate and fellow junior player Mitchell Powell (26).
After the last ball of the innings, Brighton District players made a point of going to Critchley and congratulating him on his gutsy knock — a very sporting gesture.
It was a match-winning display; Bentleigh dismissed Brighton District for 116 on Sunday, with Adrian McInnes grabbing 5-26, to book a spot in the grand final.
Bentleigh senior coach Jarrad Dowling said Critchley’s innings was the talk of the club over the weekend.
“Mate, he’s 14, not many senior blokes have got that composure,’’ Dowling enthused.
“He batted us into a winning position on a tricky wicket in hot conditions.’’
Dowling said Critchley, who is the nephew of former Frankston Peninsula wicketkeeper David Nankervis, was among a crop of promising youngsters at Bentleigh.
“We’ve got a really strong group of kids coming through,’’ he said.
“In the next couple of years at Bentleigh we’ll see the fruits of that. There will be a really young Bentleigh team on the field.’’
Bentleigh’s thirds will host Hampton in the flag decider on Saturday and Sunday.
Bentleigh’s First XI, meanwhile, will face South Caulfield in the CSB Championship division grand final.
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