Kingston Hawthorn newcomer Abhi Jain blasts 148 off 107 balls

A blistering century from a second-gamer helped Kingston Hawthorn to defeat Frankston Peninsula in Premier Cricket.

Abhi Jain acknowledges applause for his century as he walks from the ground.

Keep it quiet, Kingston Hawthorn coach Peter Marshall said a few weeks ago, but we’ve found a good player.

A kid from Deakin University, he said.

He might play early in the season. Maybe even Round 1.

Watch out for him. His name’s Abhi Jain.

A lot of people in Victorian Premier Cricket will be getting to know the name after Jain’s innings against Frankston Peninsula at the Walter Galt Reserve on Saturday.

The 20-year-old right-hander blitzed 148 off 107 balls to lead the Hawks to a strong win that helped ease their disappointment of falling to Casey South Melbourne in Round 1 after being in a strong position.

The home team rattled up 7-317 off its 50 overs and had the Heat 5-182 off 40.1 when rain arrived.

Kingston Hawthorn was declared the winner on run rate.

It was 5-136 when captain Shorye Chopra was run out for 30, but Jain and wicketkeeper Joel Lewis took the Hawks to the verge of 300 with a dazzling 147-run partnership.

Abhi Jain relaxes during the innings break.

Jain sent the white ball whistling to all parts of the ground, and by the time he was bowled trying to squeeze a full-ball to third man, he had clattered 13 fours and 8 sixes, one of them over cover.

A clip to mid-on for a single brought up his century.

Lewis gave him excellent support with 45 off 40 balls.

Kingston Hawthorn officials raved about Jain’s innings, which followed his hand of 30 against the Swans.

Club great Phil O’Meara, the former WA batsman, said: “Haven’t seen anything like it for a while. Played 360 degrees, sensational. He’s an outstanding player. For a little bloke he’s got a lot of power.

“His last 50 came off 23 balls or something like that. Great pick-up for the club.’’

Kingston Hawthorn administration manager Tom Brain said: “Fantastic innings. Never played Premier or Subbies before he came to us. His power was incredible.’’

Jain is from India and arrived in Australia early last year to study sports management and accounting at Deakin University.

He had been on standby for the Delhi Under 19 squad and played in the schoolboys national titles for five years.

“It’s a great feeling,’’ Jain said in the innings break.

“I felt pretty well. I was seeing the ball pretty well in the end.’’ Marshall sat next to him as he spoke, their grins as wide at the pavilion behind them.

Jain played a handful of matches for Ashburton in the Eastern association last season – with no great success, it must be said – but had to return to India over visa issues.

Wanting to play at Premier level to test himself, he sent an email to Marshall in the pre-season and was thrilled when the Hawks invited him to train.

His form in the practice matches prompted Marshall and his match committee to select the newcomer for Round 1. He was in tears after the loss to the Swans, disappointed he couldn’t bat Kingston Hawthorn to victory.

Jain gave a chance when he was on 61, the Heat dropping a catch that should have been taken, and he made the visitors pay plenty for the mistake.

Frankston Peninsula had a respectable reply in the works when rain intervened, with Ryan Hammel (64) and captain Brodie Symons (70) putting on 118 for the third wicket.

Harvinder Singh, another newcomer for Kingston Hawthorn, had 3-25 off 7.1 overs of sharp right-arm bowling when players were forced from the ground.