Footscray 17-year-old Aiman Nadeem hits maiden century, Dylan Brasher does it again
Dylan Brasher smashed his fourth century of the Premier Cricket season but Footscray teammate Aiman Nadeem stole the show with a breakthrough knock.
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Footscray’s 17-year-old opener Aiman Nadeem underlined his exciting potential with a maiden Premier Cricket century on Saturday.
The youngster scored a match-high 116 from 142 balls in the Bulldogs’ 143-run win over Greenvale Kangaroos at Greenvale Reserve.
While at the other end, Dylan Brasher smashed his fourth hundred of the season – 112 from 125 balls – to reach a new personal best.
It was a big day for the Brasher family with young paceman Aiden making his First XI debut and claiming 1-26 in a promising introduction.
After being sent in by the Kangaroos, the Nadeem and Brasher plundered a record-breaking 220-run opening partnership.
Footscray coach Dale McDonald said it was only a matter of time for Nadeem.
“Aiman was outstanding, it had been coming, he’s had some good starts, so to get his first hundred was great,” McDonald said.
“There’s a bright future ahead of him but he’s a pretty grounded kid and nothing really fazes him.
“He’s taken his opportunity and we’re really happy with how his development is coming along.”
After missing out on Vic Metro selection for the Under-19 National Championships, the youngster still got an opportunity to play for the Northern Territory, scoring 114 runs in six matches – including a 50 against South Australia.
“He did OK in the carnival, he got a couple of good starts, it was a good experience for him,” McDonald said.
“He was disappointed to miss out on Vic Metro but to still have the opportunity to play in the under-19 championships was a massive step in the right direction for him.”
Brasher, meanwhile, continues to go from strength to strength after scoring back-to-back tons.
The 22-year-old has now scored 674 runs at an average of 74.89, second most in the competition, bettering last season’s 614 runs.
Despite his form and impressive 79 against Pakistan in a tour match, the opener was overlooked for the Victoria Second XI.
McDonald said Brasher’s game had improved across the board.
“He’s just come on in leaps and bounds, there’s areas of Dylan’s game not just skill acquisition, that have really improved and he’s becoming a more rounded player,” McDonald said.
“He’s still only 22 and in really good form at the moment and he wants to learn, wants to get better, and he’s an outstanding man.
“We spoke about (Second XI selection), and yes he was disappointed, which is only natural, but Blake Thomson can say the same thing.
“Both of them could sit back and be disappointed but in saying that I understand why – the Stars and Renegades both missed out on Big Bash finals so contracted players need to get themselves ready for the first Shield game.”
Footscray posted 5-297 on the back of Nadeem and Brasher’s centuries, while Praveen Dilanka claimed 3-48 for the Kangaroos.
Ben Roosenboom then made the perfect start with the ball, removing Greenvale openers captain Justin Galeotti (11) and Manav Sharma (16) to have the hosts in early trouble.
Bernard Kelly (40) and Jordan Kosteas (36) steadied the Kangaroos’ ship before falling in quick succession as the team was dismissed for 154.
Roosenboom snared 2-19, while Max Birthisel cleaned up the tail to finish with 4-38.
“Max Birthisel bowled quite well and Ben Roosenboom has taken another step in his cricket this year,” McDonald said.
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“Aiden Brasher made his debut, which was great for him, he got his cap presented by his brother – cap 340.
“That was great for those two to be able to play together and Aiden certainly bowled quite well.”
Footscray remains in the finals hunt, sitting 10th, five points behind eighth-placed Melbourne with three games remaining.
The Bulldogs face Melbourne University, Ringwood and Casey-South Melbourne – all two-dayers – in the run home.
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