Dylan Brasher hits match-winning century to put name in Victoria selection debate

Footscray opener Dylan Brasher’s superb season continued with a match-winning century that surely has him in the sights of Victoria selectors.

Dylan Brasher in action for Footscray. Picture: Andy Brownbill

A commanding Dylan Brasher performance delivered Footscray a critical eight-wicket win over Fitzroy Doncaster at Merv Hughes Oval on Saturday.

The dashing young opener’s superb 106 not out from 93 balls will surely have also caught the attention of Victoria selectors ahead of the Sheffield Shield and Marsh Cup’s return in February.

The knock is Brasher’s third century of the Premier Cricket campaign and takes him to 562 runs – second only to Melbourne’s Blake Thomson – at an average of 70.25.

He also has 131 runs at 32.75 in two matches for Victoria’s Second XI and hit an unbeaten 79 in a tour match against a full-strength Pakistan attack.

After a breakout campaign last season, Brasher said adding one critical element to his game was key to earning higher honours.

Dylan Brasher and Travis Dean in action for Footscray. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“The one thing I wanted to get better at this year was having more consistency in my game,” Brasher said.

“Obviously one of the big things they look at at the higher level is that consistency, especially stuff like being not out at the end of the game.

“I took a bit of pride in being not out and getting us over the line (on Saturday), with some help of some good batting at the other end.

“This year I wanted to focus on every game, every innings restarting at zero and I wasn’t 100 not out or 50 from the week before.

“(Selection) is one of those things that are completely out of your hands, I’ve just been focused on being more consistent.

“If an opportunity comes up at least I’ll know that I’ve put the runs on the board and done the work to be ready but there’s a lot that has to happen.

“The Pakistan game was a pretty cool experience, it’s not every day you get the face an international attack.”

Brasher has also added leadership to his responsibilities this season.

Dylan Brasher hits his third century of the Victorian Premier Cricket season. Picture: Andy Brownbill

With the retirement of legends Dean Russ, Daniel Sartori and Jake Reed, the 23-year-old has been elevated to vice-captain and has led the club while Travis Dean has been on state duties.

The likes of youngsters Aiman and Aayan Nadeem, Josh Pace, Raj Nand and Max Hatzoglou have come into the First XI this season.

He said it has been a whirlwind change at Merv Hughes Oval and after a slow start to the year was confident his team was finding its groove.

“It’s been such a weird change in the space of 12 months,” he said.

“Having the likes of Russy, Sarts and Reedy and being the youngest guy in the room to being one of the leaders and if Trav doesn’t play, the captain.

“It was a bit of a, not tough start, because we knew you can’t just replace that experience but it would have been nice to start with a couple of wins and have those young guys feel that feeling.

“As a team, we probably set our standards too high at the start of the year and with some losses came disappointment, but the last few weeks we’ve got back on track.

“If we can sneak into finals that would be great or get as close as possible, it’s just about getting guys like Aiman (Nadeem) or Josh Pace enough games so that when next season rolls around there’s more confidence.”

On Saturday, Fitzroy Doncaster posted 6-237, led by Liam Banthorpe’s 80 and Zach Elliott’s 67, before a “frustrating” rain break.

Under Duckworth-Lewis, Footscray was set 210 from 38 overs and secured the win with 10 balls to spare.

Brasher said the weather but may have worked in the Bulldogs favour.

“It was a weird game, we played in the rain for about an hour at the end of their innings and then waited for an hour and a half to bat,” Brasher said.

“It wasn’t raining heavy but we put the covers down so once they were on the umpires said we can’t start until the rain stops, so it was a little frustrating but worked in our favour in the end.

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“It didn’t change how we were going to bat anyway, the run-rate would have been similar if the game had have gone the full 50 anyway.”

Travis Dean and Arjun Nair both scored 25, while Dylan Kight finished unbeaten on 30, in support.

The win keeps Footscray’s finals hopes alive, moving to 12th, just five points behind Melbourne in eighth.

The Bulldogs will face last-placed Greenvale Kangaroos in a one-dayer at Greenvale Reserve on Saturday.