Premier Cricket 2021-22: Tom Rogers, Jack Rudd produce tons as Lions edge out Rams

Two of Premier cricket’s most exciting batsmen turned it on with century knocks on Saturday, as Fitzroy Doncaster edged Ringwood.

The Lions celebrate on Saturday. Picture: Steve Tanner

It was a battle of two of Premier Cricket’s most exciting batsmen at Russell Lucas Oval on Saturday.

Fitzroy Doncaster opened its account for 2021-22 with a seven-wicket victory over Ringwood, as the Lions chased down 9-241 spearheaded by a Jack Rudd ton.

Jack Rudd posted his sixth Premier ton on Saturday. Picture: Steve Tanner

In a performance befitting of the occasion of his 100th First XI match, Rudd knocked 120 runs off 133 balls, including 11 fours to lift the Lions to 3-242 in reply to the brilliance of Rams’ opening bat Tom Rogers, who set the tone with 109 off 118 deliveries.

The hosts fell to 2-28 after the early dismissals of Josh Hartill and 250-gamer David King (four runs apiece) through the bowling of Kobe Smith and Nick Fletcher, before Rogers and boom recruit Adam Amin took control to lift the Rams to 2-120.

Tom Rogers spearheaded Ringwood at the crease with new name Adam Amin on Saturday. Picture: Steve Tanner

Fletcher claimed former Tiger Amin in the 24th over for 46, as Charlie Simondson followed with the scalp of returning Ram, Joe Loorham, for a duck shortly after. But the biggest scalp came late in the 43rd over as Simondson bowled and caught Rogers to send the Rams to 7-200.

Fitzroy Doncaster captain Ejaaz Alavi said the performances of Fletcher (4-37 off 10 overs) and Simondson (4-40 off 10) helped swing the momentum as the Rams mounted a charge.

“We knew Ringwood would be really up for the game yesterday and it would be a tight contest,” Alavi said.

“We were able to take a couple of wickets and peg the scoring back, Charlie Simondson bowled really well through the middle to bring the game back our way.

“Four wickets in a game like that was a fantastic performance, but it was the bowling partnerships really … Nick Fletcher came on and took the big break with Amin when Ringwood were flying.

“Then we were able to put a bit more pressure on the new batsmen coming in and Charlie was able to capitalise … he bowled unbelievably well and hopefully that’s a sign of things to come for him.”

Nick Fletcher bowls to batsman Tom Rogers. Picture: Steve Tanner

Alavi also credited the resolve of his group in chasing down the Rams’ 241 total.

“It was a really good wicket and a fast outfield so it was good value for shots – it’s a tough ground to defend on so we knew keeping them to around the 240 mark … it was always going to be a tough chase but we backed ourselves knowing the ground and how quickly we could score,” he said.

Rudd’s knock marked his sixth Premier century and Elavi said the batting of Liam Smith (66 not-out) and Lakshmn Shivakumar (27 off 39 balls) provided a major boost for the topscoring 26-year-old.

Noah Korkolis and Liam Banthorpe also contributed with 11 apiece.

“He’s (Rudd) got so much confidence right now and knows his game so well that when he goes out to bat, he won’t be flustered,” Alavi said.

“He got off to a bit of a slow start but the runs were coming at the other end early on so it took a bit of the pressure off him. Once he got himself into the game, he didn’t look like getting out. It was a great knock to witness.”