CSB: South Caulfield eyes top spot after Lewis Mildenhall ton in Championship division

A brilliant century by a South Caulfield gun, 99 by a McKinnon opener and a Parkdale United all-rounder’s dominant day...it’s all in the Cricket Southern Bayside wrap.

Lewis Mildenhall batting for South Caulfield on Saturday. Picture: Ron Weil

Lewis Mildenhall has had to be patient this cricket season.

The South Caufield batter had the pads on for 80 overs in Round 12 while his teammates Brad Erasmus and Tom Morris racked up 0-428, both making unbeaten double centuries.

Before that, Mildenhall made a couple of ‘starts’ only to be left frustrated after failing to convert them into big scores.

But his tolerance was rewarded on Saturday when he scored a determined century — 100 off 192 balls, with 12 fours — in the CSB Championship division top-of-the-table clash against Bentleigh.

Going in at 2-10, the stylish right-hander batted for nearly four hours to help his side put up 274.

Mildenhall shared a 108-run fourth wicket partnership with skipper Will Russell, who made 56 off 101 balls. It was Russell’s second half-century of the season.

Mildenhall and Callum Nankervis (26) then took the score from 4-146 to 5-204 as South’s innings grew.

Will Russell batting for South Caulfield. Picture: Ron Weil

Kanishka Alvitigala (34) and Sam Holten (23) put the icing on the cake late in the day with vital contributions.

“At the start of the day you’d take 270-odd against any team,” South Caulfield coach Jason Jacoby said.

“If we win this we finish on top which will be great. That was our goal at the start of the year.”

Jacoby said Mildenhall’s century was right out of the top drawer.

“He batted very, very well,’’ he said.

“He was determined to make runs. He’s had probably a couple of opportunities this year to make a big score and he’s got a 20 and a 30 which has disappointed him.

“In a couple of one dayers where we had partnerships he had to come in and play his shots.

“He’s a very good player, he’s all class, hits the ball on the ground, plays well on the leg side which is a sign of a good player, picks the right ball. Really classical. Easy on the eye.

“And he’s such a good teammate, too, he’s a ripping bloke. Everyone was rapt to see him make a hundred.”

Spinner Josh Cantrell was the pick of Bentleigh’s bowlers, taking 3-85 off 24 overs. The Demons will have to make their biggest total of the season if they’re to knock off South Caulfield.

Bonbeach’s Jack Bailey is bowled by Mordialloc’s Jordan Barden. Picture: George Sal

Meanwhile, in other final round matches, third-placed Bonbeach made 152 and then had Mordialloc 3-69 at stumps, with Tom Smith snaring 2-11 off 10 overs. Bryce O’Connor top scored for Bonbeach with 32, while, for Mordi, opener Aaron Davies made 38 and Damith Mapa was unbeaten on 21.

Mentone duo Edward McGarry and Akshat Buch bowled beautifully to help dismiss Beaumaris for 166. McGarry nabbed 4-29 off 15 overs, including the wicket of former Adelaide Striker Ian Cockbain (16), while spinner Buch collected 4-46 off 19.2 overs, with six maidens. Beaumaris skipper Cam Watts top scored with 36. In reply, Mentone was 4-53 at stumps, with skipper Dane Heverin unbeaten on 5.

George Darwood on the drive for Bonbeach. Picture: George Sal

Mordialloc’s Jordan Barden goes at Bonbeach. Picture: George Sal

Matt Hayes blazed 47 not out off 48 balls at No. 7 to help St.Brigid’s St.Louis put up 196 against Hampton, which was 1-43 in reply. Trae Love-Linay (29), Harvey Feild (27), Andrew Loffel (23), James Barker (20) and Liam Harris (20) were also in the runs. Oliver Hamilton (3-30) and Pramad Hettiwatte (2-14) were the pick of Hampton’s bowlers.

In Division 1, Parkdale United opening bowler Dan Newton tore through Murrumbeena, taking 5-13 to help skittle the second-placed Beena for 55. Newton, who has 24 wickets for the season, was supported by skipper Tim Drummond (3-16) and Calum Ravesi (2-13), while Ryan Stringer snared three catches. In reply, Parkdale United coasted to 2-116, banking first innings points. Sam Amon (44) and Stringer (28) got the Pythons off to a quick start before Newton (39no) put the cap on a great day.

McKinnon opener Lee Weiss was out for 99 but his terrific innings helped the ladder leaders to 216 against Carnegie. Weiss hit 16 boundaries and faced 173 balls before holing out to Vinay Tripathi off the bowling of Saumil Patel, who took 5-51 off 28 overs. Tripathi also impressed with the ball, taking 4-62 off 23.3 overs. Carnegie needs to win to play finals.

Fifth-placed South Caulfield, trying to snatch a finals berth, banked first innings after shooting out Parkdale for 96 and then hurrying to 4-161 off 33 overs.

Dingley’s Calvin Barlow captured 4-28 to help roll Brighton District for 124. Flynn McGaw (2-32), George Burrows (2-18) and Probodha Senevirathne (2-16) also impressed for the Dingoes. In reply, Dingley rushed to 2-63 off 15 overs, with Jack Luxton unbeaten on 33.