Michael Hill records double century for Yarraville Club

A former Victorian state batsman wrote himself into the local cricket history books with a massive double century which smashed all types of records. But it almost didn’t happen after a trip to hospital.

Michael Hill of Yarraville Club celebrates a century. (Photo by Josh Chadwick)

A week ago, there were concerns Michael Hill might not even be available for Yarraville Club’s season opener.

Hit on the knuckles and sent to hospital during a practice match, Clubbers captain-coach Mitch Johnstone thought there was a possibility he wouldn’t have the ex-Victorian representative for the VTCA game against St Albans.

But Hill’s determination got him to the start line before going on to create history as he hit an unbeaten 253 to start his season.

He beat the club’s previous First XI record of 214 set by Konrad Kurta.

“We thought we might slide him down the order, if he even played at all,” Johnstone said of the thought process during the week.

“The whole week he maintained ‘I’ll be right, I’m batting three don’t worry about me. Good to go.’

“It just shows you his growth as a person and the maturity he has.”

Yarraville Club eventually posted 3-405 from its 80 overs at the crease after Hill and Nandhalal Sangaran came together with their side in a spot of bother at 3-57.

Sangaran went onto post an unbeaten century of his own with 107 runs off 176 deliveries as the pair shared a 347-run stand.

“I was having some doubts about choosing to bat at 3-57,” Johnstone said.

“They’re very different characters and players. Hilly’s a lot more flamboyant and has all the shots, whereas Sangaran really knows his limitations and plays really well to them.

“They just contrast each other really well, compliment each other really well.

“And didn’t really look like getting out. There was a couple of chances here or there, but they would have taken some good fielding efforts too.”

After posting a monster score on day one at Hansen Reserve, the Clubbers are now hoping to start their season with a win against a new look St Albans side.

“We’ll look to take 10 wickets knowing with poor weather predicted later in the week there might be reduced overs,” Johnstone said.

While Hill’s performance with the bat was outstanding, Melton South’s Saman Kumara Muthuwadige was equally as impressive with his own performance in Division 4.

He took 9-5 off seven overs on debut as the Royals rolled Roxburgh Park Broadmeadows for just 18 in 13 overs.

He finished the day with 14 wickets after South posted 7-84 in response before declaring.