Dowling Shield: a hundred and a hat-trick for Casey South Melbourne

Fast-rising Casey South Melbourne batsman Atharv ‘Uber’ Deshpande joins the list of century-makers in the Premier Cricket Under 16 boys series.

“Uber’’ Deshpande jumps for join after reaching his century. Pic: Chris Thomas.

No one had heard of the kid.

He hadn’t been in the Cricket Victoria under-age “pathway’’ and there were no Premier clubs pursuing him.

But Harrish Kannan insisted Atharv Deshpande could play.

Kannan joined Casey South Melbourne ahead of the Premier Cricket season and as he did he recommended the club get in touch with a lad named Atharv Deshpande.

Swans coach Brian Keogh made the call, but it’s fair to say Deshpande created little excitement in his first net.

When Round 1 came, he missed selection in the Fourth XI. He was also overlooked in Round 2.

Deshpande was picked in Round 3 – and his performances since then have elevated eyebrows at Casey Fields.

Scores of 18, 27, 77, 81, 44 not out and 83 not out had him promoted from the fourths to the seconds last week (yes, he skipped the Third XI).

Atharv Deshpande and Tom Wrigglesworth.

And on Sunday the right-hander joined the list of century-makers in the Premier Cricket Under 16 Dowling Shield series.

Deshpande hit 107 not out and Tom Wrigglesworth grabbed a hat-trick in the Swans’ win over Dandenong in the Round 2 fixture at Casey Fields.

They hit 5-237 and dismissed the Panthers for 117.

Deshpande opened the innings and batted through it, facing 154 deliveries and putting away 8 fours on the main oval.

He and captain Liam O’Connor put on 139 for the fourth wicket to take the home team past 200.

O’Connor hustled to 74 off 93 balls, spicing his innings with 7 fours and 1 six.

Wrigglesworth, the son of former Victorian all-rounder and Premier Cricket champion Ian Wrigglesworth, captured 4-9 off six overs with his leg-spin, including a hat-trick, as Dandy collapsed in the chase.

Atharv Deshpande cuts late. Pic: Chris Thomas.

Wrigglesworth completed it with an LBW shout against Herbie Fischbacher.

Swans Fourth XI captain and Dowling Shield co-coach Stu Fairley was chuffed with Deshpande’s innings, just as he is with his rise through the grades this season.

“We had no expectation when he rolled in the first night,’’ Fairley said.

“He was a kid off the street who’d come in on Harrish Kannan’s recommendation, and apart from that we didn’t know anything about him.

“But he’s been fantastic.’’

He said Kannan had been quick to remind people he had recruited the 16-year-old.

Desphande has been given the nickname “Uber’’ because, with his father working, he catches a Uber to training and matches.

“He’s a great kid, ‘Artie’,’’ Fairley said.

“I’ve loved coaching him one-on-one, captaining him, coaching him in Dowling. ‘Uber’ has put a smile on all our faces. We’re just so thrilled to have a player of his talent at the club.’’

Deshpande is also playing in North Balwyn’s Under 16 team and represented the Eastern Cricket Association in the VMCU carnival in January, scoring heavily.

In all matches this season he’s hit 857 runs at 50.4.

Atharv Deshpande goes driving. Pic: Chris Thomas.

Deshpande was the third batsman to score a century in Round 2 of the Under 16 series, after Carlton’s Xavier Austin and Geelong’s Henry Melville.