Premier Cricket 2018-19: Campbell Vadlja reflects on history-making debut knock for Monash Tigers
Monash Tigers batsman Campbell Vadlja has spoken of his historic knock on First XI debut, with officials still confirming if his innings is a record for the highest score on debut.
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You’d have to be a keen Premier Cricket observer to have heard of Campbell Vadlja before the weekend.
The talented 20-year-old had been a regular fixture in Monash Tigers’ Third XI, also playing just three games in the seconds.
His season stats hardly screamed of a batsman banging down the door, hitting 429 runs in 12 matches.
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But a 92 in the second innings in Round 12 against Carlton on the back of two recent half-centuries in the Third XI saw the left-hander become the 627th player to play First XI cricket for Monash.
He was presented his cap by father and Mildura cricket great Tom.
There’s plenty of ups & downs as a Premier Coach - today will go down as a very big up. I used to drive Campbell to and from training when he boarded at Caulfield grammar (man of few words like his Dad) and I have been throwing balls to Zac Sleeman in my backyard since he was 8. pic.twitter.com/3p2ssAkSVM
— Shannon Young (@shannonytweets) 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
It’s time for a refreshment. @MonashTigers skipper @Sarts25 shares an ale with young Tiger Campbell Vadlja after his record breaking @vicpremcricket knock. pic.twitter.com/3CQ4qMd6LY
— Toby Prime (@T_Prime2) February 11, 2019
The Tigers backed a man in form and the shrewd selection paid stunning results.
Vadlja cracked 180 on debut, etching his name in the competition’s history books.
Officials confirmed on Wednesday it was the highest score on First XI debut, beating the previous mark set by former Sri Lankan international Sanath Kaluperuma, who made 134 for Prahran in Round 1 in 1986-87 against Melbourne University.
Kaluperuma spent just one season at the True Blues and played four Tests for Sri Lanka.
Vadlja put the St Kilda attack, led by ex-Test spinner Michael Beer and all-rounder Josh Bartlett, to all parts of Junction Oval, hitting 24 fours and 2 sixes in an innings which lasted 265 deliveries over 340 minutes.
Vadlja finished day one unbeaten on 153 not out before captain Daniel Sartori allowed him a chance to reach a remarkable double century.
It was his highest score at any level of cricket and the equal ninth highest First XI score in the Tigers’ rich history.
“No better feeling in the world to bring up the hundred but what makes it better is to get the win over St Kilda, who we’ve always struggled to get the win over in recent years in the first division,” Vadlja said moments after stepping off Junction Oval.
“To be honest, it hasn’t sunk in, it just feels like I’m playing a normal game of cricket. It doesn’t feel like a first division debut at all but when it sinks in, it will hit me hard, but it was an amazing weekend.”
Some suggested on social media that Footscray’s Ash Armstrong held the record for the highest score on First XI debut when he hit 181 not out against Geelong in Round 8.
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But the Dogs opener had played in the top-grade before that fixture.
Tom presented his son with his cap on Saturday morning, making the 12-hour round trip to be on hand to watch his son’s debut with wife Brooke.
“I’ve never really made runs in front of them but I said to them before, ‘finally I can show you what I’ve got,” Vadlja said.
“That was special to be able to do it in front of them.”
Vadlja grew up idolising his father, who is a seven-time Les Innes Medal winner - the award which recognises the as Sunraysia Cricket Association’s best and fairest player.
They had a cricket net installed in their Irymple backyard, complete with a bowling machine.
“He taught me everything I know … I look at his temperament, he’s always level-headed when he bats and he can bat all day so I used to grow up watching him and wanting to have that sort of temperament,” he said.
“It’s good to see it’s finally starting to pay off.”
Vadlja spent last winter playing with Hale Barns Cricket Club in England, crediting his time in the UK for improvements in his game.
“That was an amazing experience for me,” he said.
“Obviously they’ve got different conditions and wickets over there so I couldn’t just go and play like I always have over here, where the wickets are flat and no grass on it.
“It taught me to leave the ball and make better decisions, which is what’s brought me some sort of success this year.”
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