Premier Cricket 2018-19: Campbell Vadlja hits 153 not out on First XI debut for Monash Tigers

Campbell Vadlja sent Premier Cricket officials scrambling after a stunning knock of 153 not out on First XI debut for Monash Tigers.

Campbell Vadjla on his way to 153 not out. Picture: Andy Brownbill

By any measure it was a remarkable knock.

But that it came from the blade of a debutant who has played largely in the Third XI this season made it even more worthy.

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Campbell Vadlja struck a stunning 153 not out in his maiden First XI appearance after Monash Tigers were sent in by St Kilda captain Michael Beer at Junction Oval on Saturday.

It had Premier Cricket followers asking, “Who is this kid?” and sent officials scrambling to check if it was a record for the highest score on First XI debut.

St Kilda CC coach Glenn Lalor hadn’t heard of Monash Tigers batsman Campbell Vadlja until yesterday. On debut in @vicpremcricket he made 153no v the Saints. ‘Batted extremely well. Played all the shots. Played some beautiful drives. Really good find,’ Lalor said.

— Paul Amy (@PaulAmy375) February 9, 2019

They’d be popping corks in Mildura. Campbell Vadlja, son of Sunraysia cricket great Tom, hit 153 not out for @MonashTigers on @vicpremcricket debut. Remarkable knock.

— Toby Prime (@T_Prime2) February 9, 2019

153* on debut! Today's @vicpremcricket wrap here https://t.co/hAeM8UmJg2 pic.twitter.com/uM8mYvpElQ

— Vic Premier Cricket (@vicpremcricket) February 9, 2019

Vadlja has played nine games in the thirds this season, but a thumb injury to Sam Taylor and departures of international pair Fred Klassan and Scott Edwards created an opening for him.

The 20-year-old struck 92 in the Second XI last week and his form was rewarded, becoming cap No. 627.

His father, Tom, is also a Mildura cricket great, winning Sunraysia Cricket Association’s best and fairest seven times. Tom is still making runs and taking wickets in the First XI at Mildura East well into his 40s, but he was on hand to take in his son’s knock.

Vadlja went to the crease with the score at 1-1 and proceeded to hit 21 fours and 1 six, facing 245 balls over 319 minutes as he steered Monash to 6-306 after the first day.

Campbell Vadjla tight in defence. Picture: Andy Brownbill

St Kilda coach Glenn Lalor admitted he hadn’t heard of the young Tiger before the match.

But he was impressed by the left-hander.

“Listen, sometimes selection comes off I suppose,’’ he said.

“Credit to him, he batted extremely well. He’s compact. He’s got all the shots and he played all the shots. Played some beautiful drives.

“We let him get in early, unfortunately. Good find, for sure.’’

Monash captain Daniel Sartori said the changerooms were bursting with pride after Vadlja’s display.

“Campbell would probably admit himself his performances leading up to the last couple of games, they probably haven’t been what we would have liked,” Sartori said.

“Last week he took his opportunity and sometimes cricket or sport is all about timing and to get picked when you’re in form is a great thing.

“Batting with him and watching, it looked such a simple game plan and he knew where his scoring shots were. He cut the ball really well, drove the ball really well and his defence was rock solid.

“His innings was built around his defence, he just didn’t give the bowlers any opportunities to get through it. He just set up really well and did the basics very well.”

Daniel Sartori watches the ball closely off his bat. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Vadlja and Sartori (35) put on 95 for the second wicket, while Tom O’Connell (27), Marcus Berryman (30), Andrew Humphries (16) and Blade Baxter (31 not out) each chipped in to take the Tigers beyond 300.

“He was actually giving me advice out there, I felt like the first-gamer and he was the 190-game veteran,” Sartori said.

“Pretty quickly he was telling me what the ball was doing, do this and do that so I just went along with it.

“He looked like he’d played a lot of games at that level, he just fitted in straight away and was very solid in his defence.”

Unfortunately for the Saints their emerging spinner Todd Murphy suffered a hand injury and could bowl only 2.2 overs.

Lalor felt St Kilda struggled to create enough pressure from both ends, reflected by the fact that they bowled only 13 maidens.

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