FTGDCA 2023-24: Lysterfield’s Nathan Walsh breaks record for runs in a season

Lysterfield’s Nathan Walsh is no stranger to hitting tons – but his masterclass on Saturday shattered a longstanding record stretching more than four decades in the FTGDCA’s top-flight.

Lysterfield’s Nathan Walsh put up an unbeaten 100 off 195 balls by stumps on Saturday to break the record for runs scored in a Norm Reeves Shield season. Picture: Supplied

He’s touted as Lysterfield’s greatest-ever – and the latest accolade adds weight to the argument.

Nathan Walsh broke the longstanding record for runs scored in a season in the Ferntree Gully & District Cricket Association’s premier grade on Saturday.

Entering the Norm Reeves Shield clash on 667 runs, the skipper sailed past Monbulk legend Ken Utting’s record of 759 set in 1978-79, knocking an unbeaten ton against Upwey-Tecoma.

The achievement wasn’t lost on Walsh, well aware of the FTGDCA’s rollcall of champions.

“I’ve always been very fond of the competition, so it does mean quite a bit to me … all the players that have gone before us, there’s been some seriously good cricketers,” he said.

“It’ll be something to look back on, that’s for sure.”

Walsh’s 100-run effort on Saturday marked a fourth century this season, taking his run total to 767 with three home-and-away rounds remaining.

His sizzling summer follows a 651-run 2022-23 campaign – also winning the Don Bradman Trophy at last season’s Australian country cricket championships for his 345 runs for Vic Country, which won the tournament.

Nathan Walsh leads the run-scoring in the Norm Reeves Shield. Picture: Field of View Photography

Consistency has long been a cornerstone of Walsh’s game, also enjoying Premier-grade stints with Ringwood and Fitzroy Doncaster.

“I probably put (my consistency) down to where I’m at right now in my career,” Walsh said.

“Since coming back from Premier Cricket in 2019, I’ve probably just honed right into local cricket basics and kept my game plan really simple as well as keeping fit … a lot of it would revolve around discipline.

“I’m very passionate about my club as well – no matter how many runs have been scored prior or what position on the ladder we are or what type of game it is, it always seems to bring the best out of me.

“I’m always striving to win games for the cricket club.”

The Beavers sit fourth on the ladder as they put up 7-284 by stumps in the weekend’s Round 12 clash, vying for a seventh win of the season.

They’re hunting a fifth First XI flag in six seasons as attention turns to snaring a spot in the top two, with a full squad expected back at the business end of the campaign.

“All teams have got matchwinning players – even the sides lower on the ladder, they have some of the best players in the competition,” Walsh said.

“We’ve been fortunate that we haven’t had games taken away from us by the opposition’s best players too often.

“Given the state of the season, we’re pretty happy with where we’re sitting.”

As for the mantle of Lysterfield’s greatest-ever player?

“To be held in that regard is really special to me, I really love Lysterfield Cricket Club and it’s done some great things for me and my life and definitely will continue to be an important part of my life moving forward as well.”