Josh Hartill smashes 163 not out in Outer East Eagles’ under-18 state championships win over Inner East Emus

JOSH Hartill underlined his status as one of the state’s best young prospects with an unbeaten 163 in the under-18 state championships final.

Josh Hartill celebrates his century for Outer East Eagles. Picture: James Kandler

JOT down the name: Josh Hartill.

The talented Ringwood wicketkeeper-batsman underlined his status as one of the state’s best young prospects with an unbeaten 163 in the under-18 state championships final on Sunday.

Hartill carried his bat in Outer East’s total of 5-292 as the Eagles held out Inner East to record a 14-run win in the decider.

RELATED: Josh Hartill guides Outer East Eagles to under-18 state championships final

Incredibly proud of the @CV_Emus U/18’s boys who today went down in the GF to @CV_Eagles... An outstanding effort with 6 bottom aged players! @dutchycroes 108 and Josh Hartill 163* both different gravy!

Congrats @CV_Eagles!#emufarm

— Matthew Bremner (@mattbremner12) February 18, 2018

Not surprised the two winners of the U18s are @dutchycroes and Hartill. Twin 100s in a final shows they’re a cut above the rest @mattbremner12 https://t.co/BsRP9N1vIT

— Tom Russ (@tomvruss) February 19, 2018

The 18-year-old’s knock came from 154 deliveries and included 13 fours and 6 sixes before pouching four catches with the gloves.

He reached triple-figures in the 41st over before hammering 63 runs from his final 29 deliveries in a devastating display.

Josh Hartill dispatches a six towards Cricket Victoria’s headquarters at the Junction Oval. Picture: James Kandler

Outer East coach Tyson Freeman said Hartill, who made his First XI Premier Cricket debut in Round 9 against Camberwell, was “the next big thing coming out of Ringwood and the Outer East for sure”.

“A standout for the whole game, he was clinical the way he timed the ball, knew when to take risks and calculated ones at that as well and knew when to control the tempo of the game,” Freeman said.

“He looked really classy and timed the ball really well and to have the fitness and capacity to concentrate for the whole innings ... to score the way he did in the last 10 overs, that’s probably where we won it.

“We really accelerated in those last 10 overs and Josh was a real key to that, striking the ball so cleanly but not facing any dot balls, rotating the strike as well.”

Hartill shared a third-wicket stand worth 68 with Ryan Peter-Budge (23) before No.6 Daniel Thompson and Hartill went on a boundary-hitting frenzy.

Thompson dispatched 4 fours and 3 sixes in his knock of 43 from just 24 deliveries in a rapid 87-run stand for the fifth wicket.

Noah Croes hit a century in Inner East’s run chase. Picture: James Kandler

But with the Junction Oval track as flat as the nearby St Kilda Rd and a lightning quick outfield, Inner East opener Noah Croes responded with a century of his own to push the Emus towards the target.

Croes creamed 108 from 96 deliveries, punching 16 fours and 2 sixes to help the Emus to 2-201.

Croes and Elliot Brandon-Jones (61 off 91, with 6 fours) put on a 174-run third-wicket partnership, which appeared would take the Emus to the lofty total.

But Liam Dunning broke the dangerous union when Brandon-Jones edged through to Hartill and when Croes became Zac Corcoran (3-51) third victim just two runs later, the wind had been taken out of Inner East’s sails.

Jarryd Cameron (4-31) proved his value as a death bowler with the final four wickets as the Emus were bowled out for 278 in the 49th over.