Daniel Sartori, Keon Harding and Fawad Malook star in Deer Park’s top-of-the-table win

At 3-3, Deer Park’s undefeated season looked over. Enter Daniel Sartori to rescue the Lions with a massive century before Fawad Malook spun them to victory.

Keon Harding in action for Deer Park. Picture: Andy Brownbil

At 3-3, Deer Park’s undefeated record looked finished in the top-of-the-table clash with Sydenham-Hillside.

Enter Daniel Sartori, the former Premier Cricket run-machine smashed a dominant 168 from 216 balls on Saturday to rescue the Lions.

Keon Harding added a critical 78, the pair putting on a 173-run seventh-wicket partnership, to propel the VTCA Senior Division ladder-leader to a mammoth 323 all out.

Fawad Malook then ripped through the Storm on Sunday, snaring 6-44 from 23.4 overs, to help secure a commanding 115-run victory at Hillside Reserve.

Deer Park coach Mick Andriadis said it would go down as one of the best knocks in club history.

Fawad Malook in action for Deer Park. Picture: Andy Brownbil

“It was a surprise to us because we haven’t faced a seam attack like that and they were brilliant early, Sydenham,” he said.

“There were some terrific deliveries, you could see on FrogBox, there were some Gatting balls there and we were in a lot of strife.

“Dan was straight in in the second over and produced one of the all-time great innings, with help from Keon and Leachy chipping in.

“He got off to a flyer, he was around a run-a-ball early then slowed up as wickets fell around him, he had a bit of luck go his way, and towards the end he was belting them everywhere.

“It’s a special effort to do that, he came in in the second over and out in the 75th or 76th and never took the easy way out in 30 degree heat.

“To Sydenham’s credit, the people at the ground he got a massive round of applause – people appreciate good cricket.”

The knock takes Sartori to 420 runs for the season and is the second highest of Sartori’s career after a 223 for Richmond Second XI in 2014-15.

Alex Barlas (2-28) and Stefon King (3-70) ripped through the Deer Park top-order and the Lions were 6-83 before Harding joined Sartori in the middle.

Harding then picked up where he left off with the bat, removing Deakyn McIntyre first ball to have the hosts 1-1.

The Storm recovered and were in a strong position as Ishan Peiris (51) and Gayashan Weerasekara (51) both made half-centuries before both fell to Malook.

“He’s a terrific bowler, Fawad, he’s always at you,” Andriadis said.

“He’s around the wicket all the time, a couple of lbws and they’re trying to hit him out of the ground and not quite getting him thanks to some excellent field placements by Russy.

“I’m rapt for Keon too, he showed he’s not just a bowler, some blokes are joking that he’s a batting all-rounder now.”

With Sydenham-Hillside taken care of, Deer Park turns its attention to a grand final rematch – and a second straight top-of-the-table clash – against reigning premier Yarraville Club at Barlow Oval.

The Clubbers are coming an equally impressive 178-run victory over fourth-placed Aberfeldie – Halwathurage Jayasinghe smashing 122 and Mitch Johnstone and Jack Martin both snaring four wickets.

“It’s perfect for us, you couldn’t fixture it any better,” Andriadis said.

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“We got the wins on the board early, which you like to do, and now we’ve had Sydenham – second on the ladder – and then the grand final rematch against Yarraville.

“They’re in a bit of form too, they put up a similar score to us and had a convincing win.

“We’ve secured a home semi, which is great, and I’m sure Mitch (Johnstone) and the boys will want to do the same against us, which will secure them a home semi, so there’s lots to play for.”

Despite the loss, Aberfeldie retains fourth by run-rate ahead of Keilor, St Albans and Westmeadows, setting up a thrilling final two rounds.