Premier Cricket 2021-22: Glenn Maxwell smacks 122 to lift Fitzroy Doncaster into top eight

Fresh off a BBL campaign which included a record-breaking knock, Glenn Maxwell starred with the bat on return for Fitzroy Doncaster on Saturday.

Another match-winning ton for Glenn Maxwell.

The Melbourne Stars skipper produced 122 runs off 90 balls in Fitzroy Doncaster’s three-wicket victory over Geelong on Saturday, lifting the Lions back into the top eight.

It’s Maxwell’s second century for the Lions this season in as many appearances, after blasting 125 not-out off 61 balls in the Vic Super Slam in December.

Glenn Maxwell turned it on with 122 runs on Saturday. Picture: Steve Tanner

Geelong hit the ground running at 0-90, with opener Hayden Butterworth setting the tone with a 102-run effort from 142 deliveries – his third century this season – to help his side to 8-236.

The visitors’ chase looked in strife in reply at 2-39 after opening pair Noah Korkolis (0) and Jack Rudd (13) fell cheaply inside the first five overs.

Fresh off a BBL campaign which included a recent record-breaking knock of 154 not-out off 64 balls, Maxwell took control to right the ship, smacking 14 fours and five sixes on the way to Fitzroy Doncaster’s 7-237 total.

He combined nicely with Liam Banthorpe (52 off 101 balls) for a 127-run partnership, as the Lions notched their fifth victory of the season.

Liam Banthorpe formed a valuable partnership with Maxwell on Saturday. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Fitzroy Doncaster captain Ejaaz Alavi praised his side’s resolve with the ball after Geelong’s fast start, as he took 2-39 off 10 overs alongside Ikroop Dhanoa (2-34 off seven) and Sam Elliott (2-43 off 10) to keep the target in reach.

The skipper said he remained confident his charges could topple the hosts despite his side’s slow start at the crease.

“We didn’t get the ideal start … then we sent ‘Maxi’ out to the middle and he was a class act again,” he said.

“Having someone like Maxwell, you back him in every day of the week to do the job.

“We could all learn so much from watching him bat, and it was really good watching Liam Banthorpe get into a strong partnership and really push us towards the total.

“To find a way to get the win with both teams sitting at 4-4 (was pleasing) … whoever got the win could jump the other one slightly and it was a really important game that we needed to be up for.”

Alavi said Maxwell would be a “wait and see” prospect for the rest of the season, but the 33-year-old could potentially suit up again for the Lions next week against ladder-leader St Kilda.

Next week’s fixture is followed by clashes with Essendon, Melbourne and Dandenong.

“We’re really happy with how we’re going at the moment, we’ve won four out of the last five games to be 5-4 and we’ve got a pretty tough period coming up over the next few games,” Alavi said.

“We’ve got to keep backing ourselves as we try to cement a spot in the (top) eight.”