Dylan Kight, Tim Hughes mark Premier Cricket milestones for Footscray

The result didn’t go its way but Footscray still celebrated special milestones for club great Dylan Kight and son of a gun Tim Hughes on Saturday.

Saturday’s result made for ugly reading but Footscray did have reason to celebrate after its loss to Richmond.

It was Dogs great Dylan Kight’s 200th Premier Cricket First XI appearance, while son of a gun Tim Hughes made his debut along with Stephen Mihelakos-James.

The milestone puts Kight fifth all-time in Footscray appearances, chasing current games record holder and teammate Dean Russ on 283.

Kight made his debut in 2009-10 and has more than 5100 runs – including six centuries – and almost 300 catches behind the stumps and captained the club for three seasons.

Dogs coach Allan Wise paid tribute to a “class player”.

Dylan Kight in action in Footscray.

“It’s a phenomenal achievement,” he said.

“A lot of players come to Premier Cricket hoping to play just one game in the First XI but for him to play 200 – of which 195 or so have been wicketkeeping – is really significant.

“He’s got six hundreds with the bat as well so he’s had a pretty decorated career.

“The young players are lucky to have someone like him to look up to.

“He’s showing no signs of slowing down, 200 games is the best part of 12 seasons, and he’s only just turned 30-31, so he’s got a lot of cricket ahead of him.

“He’s got the gloves as long as he wants them, he’s very fit and dedicated, and we’re very lucky to have him.”

It was also a special day for Hughes and Mihelakos-James as they began their First XI careers in red, white and blue.

Hughes, the son of Australia Test great Merv, made his long-awaited debut in his ninth season at the club.

A paceman like his old man, Hughes has worked his way up from the Fourth XI in 2014-15 and has more than 100 games under his belt across the lower grades.

While Footscray didn’t have a big total to defend on Saturday, Hughes performed admirably, finishing with 0-9 from five overs.

Tim Hughes makes his Footscray debut.

Merv Hughes in action for Footscray.

Wise was rapt for the young man’s hard work to pay off.

“He’s been around for quite a few years, Tim, he’s been in the twos and threes,” Wise said.

“For a period of time he probably wasn’t as fit as he could be but he made the commitment to have a real crack and I’d say now he’s one of the fittest players at the club. He’s a running machine now.

“He started the season really well, got an opportunity in the seconds, played a couple of T20s for us and performed really well.

“The opportunity came up with Jake (Reed) injured and Max Birthisel out with COVID, so it paved the way for Tim to play, it’s a really good story.

“To make his First XI debut for the club where he’s dad is particularly famous, the ground’s named after him, it’s really pleasing to see.”

Hughes will have to fight to retain his spot with Reed and Birthisel expected back on Saturday against Prahran.

“He didn’t get a wicket but he bowled OK, he bullocked in,” Wise said.

“It was obviously a small total so there wasn’t much room for error and he couldn’t over attack but he was solid with the ball.”

Mihelakos-James also earned his first Dogs cap after crossing from Essendon last season.

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The former Victoria Under-19 batsman has had to be patient behind Footscray’s stacked top order but got his opportunity after a century and 203 runs at an average of 40 in the Second XI.

“He played a couple of games in the ones at Essendon and came across without any promises,” Wise said.

“He’s had to work hard for it, so it’s good to see him get that reward.

“The wicket wasn’t very suited to batting, certainly to his way of batting, but I’m sure he learnt a lot from the experience.”