Premier Cricket 2018-19: Fitzroy Doncaster scores a three-wicket win over Melbourne
FITZROY Doncaster opener Jack Rudd steered an injury-hit Fitzroy Doncaster to its fourth win of the Premier Cricket season, guiding the Lions to a three-wicket victory over Melbourne.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport . Followed categories will be added to My News.
FITZROY Doncaster opener Jack Rudd steered an injury-hit Fitzroy Doncaster to its fourth win of the Premier Cricket season on Saturday, guiding the Lions to a three-wicket victory over Melbourne.
Rudd compiled 88 from 190 deliveries as Fitzroy Doncaster chased down Melbourne’s day one total of 9-266 (dec) in the 77th over.
Rudd’s knock was his second highest First XI score, hitting 12 fours and a six in a 190-ball stay across more than fours hours.
“It was a super knock and he is becoming one of our key batsmen at the top of the order,” Fitzroy Doncaster captain Ejaaz Alavi said.
“He’s come into his own and grown as a person and he’s just a key player in our side now.
“I think he’s just really enjoying his cricket and he’s happy he’s got a bit of stability batting in the top three in all formats.
“He’s going really, really well and Saturday’s knock, he just looked in control.”
Rudd departed 12 runs shy of his second century with the score at 6-208 and Fitzroy Doncaster still requiring 59 runs for victory.
But injured champion Peter Dickson (33), who was “batting on one leg”, Alavi (31 not out) and Sam Elliott (17 not out) put the finishing touches on the chase as the Lions finished 7-267.
Dickson batted with the aid of a runner after injuring his calf in the field on day one, leaving him in doubt for this weekend’s Saturday-Sunday two-day clash against Ringwood.
Quick Andrew Perrin will also be an unlikely starter for the Round 6 fixture after a side strain injury restricted him to just 4.3 overs on the opening day.
Matt Bremner and recruit Lakshmn Shivakumar could come into the side after hitting centuries in the Second XI.
“It was a really good fighting day, especially last week with a bowler down and a couple of senior players down,” Alavi said.
“Pez (Perrin) probably won’t be available for this week but we’ll hope to get him back as soon as possible.”
Rudd was supported by fellow top-order pair Noah Korkolis (16) and Nat Vardi (42), but Liam Banthorpe’s (5) dismissal at 4-121 left the game in the balance.
Trent Lawford (25 from 30) departed at 5-157 after a typically hard-hitting knock, which included four boundaries, only for Rudd to steady the Lions again.
“I think we had it in control most of the innings, which was really positive,” Alavi said.
“Lost a few wickets just when we were on top but our partnership batting was the key to the win with only one partnership less than 20.
“Everyone chipped in an it was a really good performance.”
Premier Cricket: Men’s and women’s Team of the Week
Young guns lit up Victorian Premier Cricket in men’s and women’s sections. We’ve named our teams of the week. SEE THEM
Star leg-spinner ‘should be starting to be looked at’
Carlton all-rounder Connor Rutland has tipped praise on the Blues’ star leg-spinner, saying Saturday’s match winning spell was further proof he has what it takes at a higher level.