Darwin cricket: Melbourne batsmen in the runs in the Top End

Escaping Victoria’s lockdown, cricketers from Melbourne clubs have been in blazing form in Darwin — hitting centuries and taking wickets, all in the warmth of the Top End.

James Seymour batting for Waratah in Darwin. Picture: Che Chorley

Melbourne’s cricketers are blossoming in the Darwin sunshine.

Essendon’s Ryder medalist James Seymour has peeled off two centuries already for his side Waratah, while Dromana’s Kierran Voelkl has steered Southern Districts to top spot at the halfway mark of the Darwin and District Cricket Competition.

Voelkl is captain-coach of the Crocodiles, who are chasing back-to-back premierships.

Southern Districts skipper Kieran Voelkl has the Crocs on top. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Caulfield champion Jacob Thorne has made an impressive start to his Top End career, putting up scores of 25, 67, 34 and 91 in his four knocks so far for Nightcliff.

Seymour has escaped Melbourne’s winter for the past seven years to play in Darwin, and he’s scored a mountain of runs, including 10 centuries.

Nightcliff’s Jacob Thorne. Picture: Glenn Campbell

He blasted 112 not out off 73 balls in a Twenty20 game for Waratah last month, and cracked 104 from 111 balls to lead the Tahs home against Nightcliff a few weeks ago.

Camberwell Magpies and Essendon batsman-keeper Isaac Conway has also been in blazing form with the bat, scoring 423 runs across all forms opening the batting alongside Seymour at Waratah.

Conway captained Waratah to the T20 premiership last month — the first cricket season to recommence with crowds as coronavirus restrictions eased in the Top End.

Former Prahran batsman Luke Shelton tops the Darwin run aggregate in Premier ranks with 294 runs, playing with Darwin.

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