Eastern Cricket Association: Ben Morris breaks Dunstan Shield record with 216 not out

Melbourne club cricketer Ben Morris has smashed his way into the record books with a double century on Saturday, notching up almost three-quarters of his team’s total in one knock.

Heathmont batsman Ben Morris should consider hanging an extra large stocking over the fireplace this Christmas Eve.

Judging by his season to date, he’s been a very, very good boy in the lead up to Christmas.

After plundering an innings-saving 216 not out against Surrey Hills at HE Parker Reserve on Saturday, he had Eastern Cricket Association officials scouring the record books.

NOT EVEN CEREBRAL PALSY CAN STOP PAUL TESORIERO HAVING A HIT

SUPER SLAM: CLUBS CONCERNED ABOUT DEMANDS

PREMIER CRICKET: DEBUTANT STARTS WITH A BANG

Heathmont’s Ben Morris on his way to 216 not out, the record score in ECA Dunstan Shield. Picture: Chris Mirtschin

And, as of Monday morning with a little more cross-checking to be completed, Morris looks to have taken ownership of the highest score in Dunstan Shield history, surpassing Jack Taylor’s 210 for Glen Iris, also against Surrey Hills, in the summer of 2012-13.

At club level, Morris fell just two runs short of Paul Perry’s Heathmont record of 218 retired against Marcellin Old Collegians in D Turf (2016-17) and equalled the 216 set by both Kyle Noll (2006-07 in LOC 4) and Craig Travis (2007-08 in LOC 3).

He’s just the seventh Heathmont player to make a double-ton since 1922.

Morris came to the crease with Heathmont reeling at 3-12 after Thomas Thirlwell, Fraser Heron-Paterson and Hasitha Nirmal fell in quick succession.

And, as Morris set himself, Lahiru Silva was on his way to the sheds with Heathmont’s innings in free fall at 4-37.

But, undaunted, he reeled off a stunning double ton that not only rescued the situation but put his side in a match-winning position at 9-298 by stumps.

Brilliance with the bat is nothing new, this has been a summer for the archives.

Prior to Saturday’s masterclass, Morris had carded three other centuries — 106 v East Doncaster in round 1, 102 against Ashburton Willows in round 4 and an unbeaten 100 against Boronia in the association’s T20 competition.

With a couple of weeks to go before the Christmas break he’s logged 479 runs at an average of 95.8.

Ben Morris has made five centuries in his last six knocks at HE Parker Reserve Picture: Chris Mirtschin

But, a seasoned campaigner, he refuses to get too far ahead of himself.

“I’ve been playing long enough to know it can all change in the flick of a switch,” the 36-year-old said.

“I’ve had a bit of luck this year, but I haven’t done anything too different really.

“On Saturday, I got dropped at 30 and then at 40. Hard chances, but you have to take your luck. Most sides have two overseas players in the top division.”

And for Morris, there’s no place like home.

In his past six knocks at HE Parker, going back to 123 not out in last year’s grand final win over Hawthorn in Wright Shield, he’s managed five centuries. A 35 against Canterbury on November 10 is the only time he’s missed three figures on his home deck in that time.

“We’ve got a brand new ground and a brand new wicket table,” he said. “So that’s probably helped a bit.”

A Heathmont local, Morris started with the club as a junior and has been there his whole career, apart from a short stint with his cousins at Knoxfield and couple of off-seasons in England.

“I did two or three pre-seasons at Ringwood (Premier Cricket) but just kept coming back to Heathmont because they were always pushing for finals,” he said.

“It’s a great environment down there.”

Ben Morris was two runs shy of the Heathmont club record. Pictures: Chris Mirtschin