Premier Cricket 2020-21: Jack Rudd belts 105 as Lions sit sixth

A second century in a fortnight from Jack Rudd has helped Fitzroy-Doncaster continue its dominant run.

It’s been a stellar season to date from the Lions’ Jack Rudd. Picture: Stuart Milligan

A second century in as many weeks from Fitzroy-Doncaster’s Jack Rudd has propelled his side to a sixth consecutive victory.

The Lions (7/263) recorded a 176-run win over bottom-placed Greenvale on the weekend, knocking the ‘Roos over for 87 in the 27th over.

The win comes on the back of a 97-run Australia Day victory over Melbourne University, with the Lions now sitting in sixth position with a 6-3 record.

Skipper Ejaaz Alavi in action.

Captain Ejaaz Alavi praised Rudd’s performance of 105 off 137 deliveries, smacking six fours and two sixes after he was dismissed for a duck against Melbourne University. Rudd, who has a season run-total of 379, last made a ton against Footscray in Round 6 with 122, with the weekend’s performance marking his second in a fortnight.

“(Jack’s) putting together a really strong season and he’s just become a leader of our batting group,” Alavi said.

“He’s really enjoyed that responsibility and he’s put his hand up to make big scores.

“It’s his fourth century now in Premier cricket so hes building a really nice record and we hope he’s playing higher as soon as possible.”

Meanwhile, Noah Korkolis backed up his Australia Day knock of 60 with 57 off 78 balls, including five fours.

“He’s batting really well at the moment – he’s been involved in some really important partnerships and it’s nice for him to go on and make some bigger scores,” Alavi said.

Alavi, who took a season-best 3/13 to take his season wicket total to 15, praised the bowling attack ably assisted by Kobe Smith (2/19) and Sam Elliott (2/23).

“It’s really good that we’re having this contribution from a lot of players at different times throughout the year which has been a real positive as well in winning the last six games,” he said.

“It’s great to have Sam Elliott back after his stint with the Stars so he’s going to be a really good addition for us in the back-half of the year – obviously bowls really good pace and broke it open early.

“Nicholas Fletcher and Kobe Smith picked up crucial wickets in (Matthew) Harrison and (Michael) Stretton, Greenvale’s more experienced players as well.”

The Lions sit among the Premier ladder logjam with all sides from third position to eighth locked on a 6-3 record, making each of the remaining eight matches all the more crucial, according to Alavi.

“Hopefully the form continues across the board and we’ve got some big games coming up in the next couple of weeks against Essendon and Melbourne so we’re looking to keep pushing and cement that finals spot in the top eight,” Alavi said.

“Every game’s really important and we’ve put ourselves in that position that we’re now really fighting to be going deep into the season and we definitely think we’re good enough.

“With eight games left, there’s still plenty of cricket to be played, and tough games to come … we’ll be backing ourselves in all the way.”