Noah Thain leads record-breaking batting blitz for Coburg against Box Hill

English young gun Noah Thain etched his name into the record books as Coburg set a new club record total with a batting blitz against Box Hill.

Noah Thain in action for England Under-19s.

When Coburg and Noah Thain are on, they’re on.

For the second time in a month records were smashed on Saturday as the Lions batting pummelled Box Hill.

Coburg’s 8-416 is the club’s highest ever VSDCA total and the second highest across the association since 2000.

It’s the 24th time in Subbies history a team has scored 400-plus.

Noah Thain’s marvellous 179 off 197 deliveries is the second highest score in Coburg history, behind Richard Ivey’s long-standing record of 191 set in 1940-41.

Coburg duo Cameron Harding and Noah Thain.

The Essex all-rounder hit 21 boundaries and a six to etch his name into the record books.

He said the past month showed what the club is capable of.

“It’s been a strange season, when we’ve got it right – which we’ve done on two occasions, which unfortunately isn’t enough – we’ve got two of the highest scores this year,” Thain said.

“We know when we fire we’re capable of beating anyone, we just haven’t been consistent.

“Saturday was good, at the end of the season it’s easy to drop standards but we’re all still willing to prove a point, that we’re good enough to compete.”

It comes a matter of weeks after Coburg belted 4-346 in a one-day match, the then second-highest total in association history.

Thain scored 136 in that match and now has 429 runs for the season.

Two tons and 350 of those runs have come since the new year break.

“It’s been more of a mindset (change), take the bowlers on early,” Thain said.

“By the 15th over they have five back and its easy to hit the sweepers, once you knock them back it’s a run-a-ball almost.

“Something has clicked in my mind about the way I got about it out here, obviously I didn’t start very well.

“I played academy cricket back home and got 219 there but it’s my highest score for a while actually.

“It’s been good to get out there and spent some time in the middle, it was great to feel in control like that.”

Fellow UK import Cameron Harding was the second top-scorer with 49, taking his season tally to 394 runs.

Osian Catlin (39) and Ashley Fernando (30) provided valuable support before Thain was finally dismissed at 5-339.

Skipper Hamza Ali (40) and Kevin Noronha (30) then kept the scoreboard ticking over to reach the magical 400-mark.

Abu Bakar Siddiqui was Box Hill’s best bowler on a difficult day, finishing with 3-90 from 19 overs.

Thain said the heat, which reached 37 at Box Hill, wasn’t the worst he’s experienced.

“Some of the lads were surprised how well I managed in the heat,” he said.

“I’ve been lucky enough to play in Asia before where it was ridiculous, like after two overs you were a puddle of sweat.

“That really helped, don’t get me wrong, it was hot, but I didn’t feel like ‘I’ve got to get out now’.”

Coburg will be chasing its second win of the season on Saturday and a chance to move off the bottom of the North-East ladder.

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Thain said the club was looking to finish the season well but also had one eye on the future.

“We’re still looking to win as many games as possible, it’s disappointing it’s gone the way it has,” he said.

“We’re also looking towards next season with people like Ashley Fernando, a young kid, getting a go at No. 3 and giving people a bowl as an opportunity.

“I think it will be really good for the club next year.”