MPCA: French Island’s Ben King blasts 321 not out in A1

Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association history was made amid a flurry of sixes, lost balls and an emotional tribute.

Record breaker: Ben King raises his bat on Saturday. Picture: Jorja Gay

There was no time for nerves as French Island batter Ben King broke the all-time Mornington Peninsula Cricket Association record for the highest individual score on Saturday.

Playing against Long Island in A1, left-hander King surpassed Ian Leslie’s 315no (for Signals against Moorooduc in 1951) with a towering six, just as he’d done to reach 300.

King walked off unbeaten on 321, tuckered out and totally unaware of his history-making deeds.

“It hasn’t really sunk in yet,’’ the 29-year-old said on Sunday morning after being told he was the new owner of the MPCA all-time record.

“But hearing that no one has made that much, it’s like, wow.’’

Ben King scored a whirlwind triple century for French Island. Picture: Jorja Gay

With King in the zone, French Island piled up 3-602 off 70 overs at Somers (which is a decent sized ground).

His 184-ball stay included 21 sixes and 29 fours.

Four balls were lost in the scrub around the ground.

King shared in two massive partnerships; a 302-run stand for the second wicket with Keith Burdett, who made 136 (16 fours), and a 205-run union with Luke Clark, who blasted 86no off 45 balls (11 fours, 4 sixes).

Reflecting on the innings, King said “it was just one of those things that happened’’.

“When I was about 150 I guess I’d had enough and I was just going to try and hit everything,’’ he said.

“It got to a stage, as arrogant as it might sound, I just couldn’t go out.

“I hit almost everything well and everything I didn’t hit well went into a gap.’’

King said he had no shortage of teammates egging him on as he closed in on 200; “Keith was in my ear’’. So, too, was Clark.

“And then 300 just came out of nowhere, really’’ King said.

“I knew there were only three overs left and our captain Matt (Spark) was umpiring and said, ‘just keep on going for it’.’’

Upon reaching a triple century, King raised his arms and paid an emotional tribute to his late grandfather Ron Easy.

“I just looked into the sky because I generally make runs for my Pa because he was born on French Island and that’s where I sort of come from and he died 15 years ago,’’ he said.

“He’s the reason I play for the Island.’’

The scoresheet showing Ben King made 321 not out.

And King said he also owed a special thanks to his brother-in-law Clayton Gay, who allowed him to use his New Balance cricket bat.

“He lent it to me for a little bit because I broke mine,’’ King said.

So, how did he celebrate?

“I had two beers and then I picked my kids up from my mum and dad’s and then went to bed,’’ he said.

French Island captain Matt Spark umpired for 50 overs and had front row seats to the display of batting pyrotechnics.

“I’ve played 20 odd years and I kept saying to people, ‘you’ll never see this again so make sure you watch it’,’’ he said.

“Ben got to about 170 before he gave a chance. It was a tough chance and he did give another chance towards the end.

“I was out umpiring and I said, ‘mate, you’re in rare company here, you may not get another chance like this’.’’

Whack: Ben King on the attack. Picture: Jorja Gay

MPCA all-time highest scores:

321* — Ben King, French Island, 2022/23 A1

315* — Ian Leslie, Signals, 1950/51 (NPCA)

305* — Daniel Warwick, Baxter, 2007/08 MPCA Provincial

280* — Jeffrey Bluhm, Mt Eliza, 2002/03 MPCA C 1

270* — Peter Finney, Karingal, 1971/72 MPCA District

262 — Mark Bowman, Moorooduc, 2001/02 MPCA A 2

260 — Brian Sheeran, Red Hill, 1982/83 MPCA Sub District

259 — Steven Nelson, Rye, 2002/03 MPCA C 2

251 — Warren Phipps, Boneo, 2000/01MPCA A 3

250 — Geoff Lester, Langwarrin, 1998/99 MPCA B 3

250* — Michael Spring, Langwarrin, Skye 2010/11 MPCA B 3

*information courtesy of Doug Dyall.