Jack Lalor hits highest Premier Cricket score to lift Northcote to big win

Jack Lalor smashed his highest Premier Cricket score for Northcote, while brothers Daniel and Archie also played key roles in a big win over Frankston Peninsula.

Jack Lalor in action for Northcote. Picture: Josh Chadwick

A thick inside-edge – and the umpire’s good hearing – saved Jack Lalor from a golden duck on Saturday.

He went on to post his highest Premier Cricket score for Northcote, a brilliant 158, and inspire a potentially season-shaping 200-run victory over Frankston Peninsula at Jubilee Park.

Lalor’s 216-ball knock delivered his first century of the season, hitting 17 boundaries and a pair of sixes, and improves his previous best of 115 last year.

Lalor shared an 85-run second-wicket partnership with his brother, Daniel (35), and 131-run fourth-wicket stand with Will Blair (55).

Battling a strong wind at Jubilee Park, Lalor said it was difficult to concentrate before finding his rhythm after lunch.

“It was one of the windiest games I’ve ever played … it was so loud, my first 40 runs before lunch I didn’t feel that great,” Lalor said.

“After lunch I found a bit of mojo and was really clear on how I wanted to bat, balls I wanted to hit and balls I was leaving.

“It was a cross-wind so when you’d face up, you’d get a strong wind that would also blow you over.

“I got lucky first ball, I hit it onto my pad and thank God the umpire heard the nick because it was pretty out if not.

“I forgot to watch the ball I reckon, it was a strange day but a good day in the end.”

Lalor’s ton saw Northcote post 7-291.

The Dragons then rolled through the brittle Heat batting order for 91 on Sunday, Lalor snaring 2-4 to cap a spectacular display, while youngest brother Archie snapped up 2-15 and Aaron Crispe claimed 2-6.

Jack, Daniel and Archie made their Lalor family debut together last week against St Kilda, all three playing together for the first time.

Lalors (from left) Daniel, Jack, Sam, Archie and Will all represented Northcote in different grades in 2022.

“It was cool. It was pretty surreal even this week,” Jack said.

“Daniel didn’t play last year, he broke his wrist and played at Bacchus Marsh, and he was even a bit iffy this year but I convinced him thinking how good to would be if all three of us playing together.

“He’s been really impressive, working his way up from the Threes, into the Twos and has batted really well in the Ones.

“It was good to spent some time out there (batting together), it was good fun.

“Even in the field, to have both of them out there, if there’s a flat period in the game you can sort of hang a bit of crap on one of them and it lifts the boys a bit.

“Archie’s going to a serious player I think and Daniel is just getting better and better.”

In his second match back for Northcote while on Big Bash League duties, Western Australia-contracted quick Brody Couch, took 1-22.

The win sees the Dragons sit ninth on the Premier Cricket ladder, five points behind eighth-placed Ringwood.

With three games remaining, the club is looking for a strong finish against Casey-South Melbourne (home), Melbourne University (away) and Fitzroy Doncaster (home).

Casey-South Melbourne sits fifth, University 14th and Fitzroy 10th.

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“It was a good win, last week we were off in all facets of the game,” Lalor said.

“The big focus this week was someone in the top-five or top-six batting through, which we ticked off, and with the ball it was all spread around and I don’t reckon we dropped a catch.

“Credit to the boys for being resilient after having a stinker against St Kilda.

“With three games left who knows what can happen, when all three and hopefully play finals.”