Double centuries, tons and 1440 runs in Casey Cardinia Cricket Association batting blitz

Batters went big, very big, in an extraordinary day of Casey Cardinia cricket, with one double centurion revealing his unusual game preparation.

Travis Wheller (left) and Alex Nooy had a 244-run stand for Cardinia on Saturday. Picture: Facebook

You need your game face on, some say, to succeed in sport.

Yeah, and then there are blokes such as Casey Cardinia cricketer Alex Nooy.

You see, the 29-year-old is the toast of his team, Cardinia, after an innings against Carlisle Park in Premier grade on Saturday that has re-written the club’s record books.

Nooy batted all innings to make 202 not out in a score of 3-446 at Hunt Club Oval in Cranbourne.

It was the second double century (first XI) in Cardinia’s history, while the total was the club’s highest in the top grade.

Nooy shared a 244-run partnership with Travis Wheller, who made 132, the two long-time and loyal Bulls churning out the runs in a day to remember.

But if the magnitude of his innings wasn’t amazing enough, Nooy revealed he was so relaxed leading into the game that he walked out to bat cracking jokes and laughing.

“I haven’t set my expectations too high that’s because of a number of things,” he said.

“I’ve got a 16-month-old son (Henley) so to be honest I’ve felt guilty each time l’ve left him and the wife (Kaitlyn) to go to training or to a game on a Saturday.

“I love my time with the boys, don’t get me wrong, but cricket has definitely been on the backburner this season.”

Alex Nooy.

Nooy (left) welcomes recruit Mitch Bromley in 2020.

Nooy added: “At five minutes to 1 o’clock on Saturday I’m cracking a joke with the boys. (Captain) Morteza Ali has got his game face on...I don’t think he was too happy with me. But that’s just where I am in life. There’s other things I enjoy a little bit more maybe. I do love my time with both of them (Kaitlyn and Henley).’’

Nooy had to work hard for his double ton, running an astonishing 28 threes, as well as 32 twos — and even five all-run fours — on a slow ground.

It’s no wonder he was stiff and sore on Monday.

But Nooy said sharing a huge partnership with fellow loyal-Bull Wheller was special.

“It’s two blokes who’ve played their cricket right through at Cardinia,” he said.

“He (Wheller) is a genius. We take him a little but for granted, he’s a freak cricketer.

“Oh mate, the amount of coin he would have been offered to go elsewhere, but he’s stayed so loyal. The money in cricket these days it’s catching up with the footy, so for him to turn his back on that...

“He’s a great kid and I’m so proud of what he did and what we both did together on Saturday.’’

Josh Lownds (left) and Cal O'Hare shared a 262-run partnership for Tooradin. Picture: Facebook

Meanwhile, the runs flowed like a torrent in other CCCA Premier matches.

Like Nooy, Pakenham gun Chris Smith carried his bat to make 210 not out in a total of 8-367 against Merinda Park.

Smith’s 227-ball stay included 32 fours and a 121-run second wicket partnership with captain Dale Tormey (55).

Tooradin racked up 5-399 against Clyde, with openers Cal O’Hare and Josh Lownds blasting centuries.

O’Hare made 164 off 210 balls, with 12 fours and 7 sixes, while Lownds made 116 off 188, with 12 fours. They put on 262 for the first wicket.

Devon Meadows totted up 9-228 against Koo Wee Rup, with Trent Delaney (67), Jakeb McVicar (55), Nathan Worsteling (27) and Riley Worsteling (25) impressing.