James Seymour’s fourth ton of season guides Essendon to victory

Essendon run-machine James Seymour sent another reminder of his quality to state selectors ahead of the last two Sheffield Shield games.

James Seymour’s fourth century of the Premier Cricket season has put Essendon in the box seat to play finals.

The Bombers jumped to seventh with a six-wicket win over St Kilda at Windy Hill on Saturday, inspired by Seymour’s 115.

The 2019-20 Ryder Medallist now has 684 runs at an average of 76.00 this season, second only to Carlton’s Harry Smyth’s 740 in two more games.

Seymour surpassed 5000 runs for Essendon this season and is just 50 runs shy of 6000 Premier Cricket runs – 10th most among active players.

After being unavailable on Day 1, Seymour walked to the crease at 2-61, chasing the Saints 230, and guided his team home.

James Seymour raises the bat for Essendon. Picture: Julian Smith

Bombers coach Asanka Gurusinha said it was the best knock he’d seen Seymour play.

“Two innings he’s played this season standout, the first was in Bendigo against Richmond on a tough wicket and in a struggling team,” Gurusinha said.

“This innings was very calculated and he knew he needed that hundred to put more pressure on Cricket Victoria selectors.

“He batted brilliantly, he controlled the game from the first ball he faced.

“He’s scored a lot of runs and I don’t know how it will play out but I think he’ll be up there for another Ryder Medal.”

Chris Williams (51) and Farzan Chowna (46 not out) made significant contributions with Seymour and Chowna combining for a match-winning 163-run fourth-wicket stand.

“Jimmy led from the front but I’ve got to talk about Chris Williams,” Gurusinha said.

“That 50 he got in really quick time helped us to get a good start.

“He’s a very aggressive player, that’s what we want, but also a couple of times he’s got to 50 or 60 and got out but he’ll learn.

“It’s good for Fuzzy to have James at the other end for that experience and he made a very important contribution.”

Seymour finished off a job started by Musa Hussain the previous week.

Hussain’s maiden five-wicket haul (5-59) limited the Saints’ strong batting line-up to a manageable total.

The win sees Essendon leap-frog St Kilda into seventh with one game remaining in the home-and-away season.

A final-round clash against ninth-placed Northcote will decide which club makes the top eight.

The Bombers are just three points out of fourth but only four points ahead of the Dragons in a heated finals race.

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Victoria plays a one-day match against South Australia in Adelaide on February 26 and starts a Sheffield Shield match against NSW in Albury on March 2, likely ruling Cam McClure and potentially Seymour out of the sudden-death match.

Gurusinha said the club would approach the game the same as any other.

“We all know what we have to do, the last game is the same,” he said.

“We can’t control what Northcote is doing so we’ll work on our strengths.”

BOMBERS QUICK GRABS CHANCE, MAIDEN FIVE-FOR

With Cam McClure returning to state duties, Musa Hussain delivered a career-best performance for Essendon on Saturday.

The young quick secured his maiden Premier Cricket five-wicket haul to give the Bombers a chance at upsetting St Kilda at Windy Hill.

Hussain’s 5-59 – including the key scalps of Josh Manning (duck), Ed Newman (duck) and Adam Crosthwaite (36) – limited the Saints to 230 in the first innings of the two-day clash with the Bombers looking to chase victory next weekend.

In combination with Tom O’Donnell (1-60), the opening pair bowled 49 of 84.4 overs, with Hussain finishing with 12 maidens in 24 overs.

Hussain could play a key role with the bat as well after being put in as nightwatchman as Essendon reached stumps at 1-2.

A first 1st XI, 5 wicket haul for Musa Hussain today. A great effort, 5/59 off 24 overs, knocking over ⁦@StKildaCricket⁩ for 230 at Windy Hill ⁦@vicpremcricket⁩ pic.twitter.com/sBjjDHeEmT

— Essendon CC (@EssendonCC) February 11, 2023

Bombers coach Asanka Gurusinha was rapt for his paceman, crediting his discipline.

“Musa stepped up with Cam McClure going back to the state side and his replacement also getting injured on Thursday” Gurusinha said.

“That put us under a bit of pressure but this guy has really stepped up and took the new ball and did it for us.

“He bowled very tight, I think his first nine overs he might have had two wickets for nine runs. He was very patient and stuck to our plan excellently.

“He’s been taking one or two wickets and bowled tight but this game, he’s got more opportunity, and he’s grabbed it with both hands.

“The wicket settled down a lot after the first hour and a half or so but Musa kept coming back, every session he bowled a minimum of an hour, so it was long spells and tied down one end.”

Hussain had previously taken five wickets in the 2018-19 Fourth XI grand final against Carlton.

After collapsing to 3-13, Jono Merlo (68) and Crosthwaite (36) steadied the ship for St Kilda.

Important knocks from Josh Barlett (42), Lewis English (35) and Tim Russ (21) ensured the Saints posted a competitive total.

Essendon were then forced to face two overs, losing Emerson White for two to Zak Evans (1-2).

Skipper James Seymour missed the day’s play but is expected to be available for the second week in a major boost to the Bombers’ hopes.

“Musa jumped at it, he said he’d go nightwatchman, and we were a bit worried because he sometimes hits,” Gurusinha said.

“He can bat to be honest, I’ve got a lot of faith in this guy, and if he can bat half an hour he might go on, so I’m looking forward to it.”

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Essendon currently sits in ninth, a point behind Prahran in eighth and just three points behind Richmond in fourth.

A win would see the Bombers leap-frog St Kilda and significantly boost their finals hopes ahead of the final home-and-away match against seventh-placed Northcote.

“We need to win the next two because from No.4 to No.11 can get into the top eight,” Gurusinha said.

“You’ve got to control your own destiny, which means winning the next two, and we can sit in the top eight.”