Dandenong’s Ed Newman hits maiden century in Premier Cricket

Panthers coach Warren Ayres says left-hander Ed Newman’s stint with the Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash has fired his desire to make runs.

Ed Newman after his breakthrough century for Dandenong.

The inevitable became the factual on Saturday.

Ed Newman scored a century in Premier Cricket.

The left-hander has for a few years been regarded as one of Victoria’s brightest prospects.

Former Dandenong coach Ross Woodall was quick to promote Newman when he joined the club ahead of the 2015-16 season, calling him a “terrific young talent’’.

The Victorian selectors gave him a rookie contract in 2018, after Newman decided to pursue cricket rather than football (he came through late at the Sandringham Dragons as a midfielder, attracting attention from AFL clubs).

But, frustratingly for him and the club, runs haven’t come in the quantity his admirers have expected.

They did on Saturday.

In his 68th First XI match, the 21-year-old reached his maiden century for the Panthers, a rousing 120 not out against Melbourne University.

He brought it up with a drive down the ground, and as he did his teammates whooped it. One of them, Brett Forsyth, later called it a “proper knock’’.

There were 7 fours and 5 sixes in the 121-ball innings.

Ed Newman on the drive for Dandenong.

“I guess it’s just relief,’’ Newman said this morning.

“I haven’t made one (a century) obviously, and I’ve played a few years in the firsts, so to finally get the monkey off the back, it’s a nice feeling. The last few years, being on contract and probably not making as many runs as I would have liked, it was satisfying to know I’m good enough at the level.’’

Dandenong coach Warren Ayres said: “Even Ed would say it’s been a long time coming, but sometimes it takes a while. Hopefully the second one won’t take so long.’’

Newman’s highest score had been 72. Still, the Melbourne Stars called him up to their squad last month, calling him a “powerful middle-order player’’ and excellent fielder.

Newman didn’t get to play in the Big Bash but he said it was good for his cricket to watch the seniors Stars go about their game.

“It was a great experience. I loved it,’’ he said.

“I learnt a lot, and it was great to be around a bunch of professional athletes going about it, especially when there’s a lot of pressure on with the bigger crowds and the TV audiences. To watch them prepare and train … everyone was really good and really helpful. I loved the experience and hopefully I can do it again one day.’’

Newman said Ayres had had a big influence on his batting since returning to the club ahead of this season.

“I guess it can go either way when you get a new coach to the club and with him back at Dandenong it’s definitely gone in the right direction,’’ he said. “He’s helped me with a few little technical things I’d probably brushed over in the past few years. He’s been a massive help.’’

Ayres said he was chuffed for Newman and it was clear his Stars stint had helped him.

He said Newman returned to the Panthers “almost a different player.’’

“You can see he’s really got a hunger to make some runs,’’ he said. “I’m really excited about what he can bring in the future.’’

Newman’s century highlighted the Panthers’ emphatic victory over last season’s minor premier.

In first, they hit 4-230, with Newman and in-form opener Brett Forsyth putting on 119 for third wicket after Forsyth had lost his skipper, Tom Donnell, for 26 and his brother Cameron for five.

The right-hander’s 58 came off 106 deliveries and, in the absence of any fours or sixes on a treacle-slow outfield, he had to run for all of his runs.

Since going back to the opening slot – he had been at No 3 as Dandy tried LJ Edwards at the top – he’s returned scores of 20, 124no, 46, 47no and 58.

He’s also crept up to 435 runs at 87.

Dandy spinner Suraj Randiv.

Newman batted through to the end of the innings, hitting Uni quickie Simon Mackie over the fence in the 49th over for his fifth six.

“Gee he batted well,’’ Ayres noted. “He hit the ball really cleanly on a wicket that most of the other batsmen really battled on. He seemed to be a step above.’’

In the reply, Uni were all out in the 48th over for 166, with opener Jarrod Martignago (63 off 104 balls) answering Forsyth’s sheet-anchor approach but finding no support.

Medium pacer Peter Cassidy was outstanding with 3-13 off 10 overs, offie Suraj Randiv took 3-27 off 10 and seamer Dasun Opanayaka collected 2-23 off nine.

The Dandenong Second XI had an enthralling win, with Gehan Seneviratne smacking the last ball of the match for six to lift the Panthers past Uni’s 6-265.

Seneviratne blitzed 42 not out off 30 balls, capping the innings of top-order players Josh Slater (65) and Jarryd Wills (50).

And he gave one of the great celebrations after cracking the winning runs; it’s worth looking up the footage on the live stream on the Premier Cricket website.