Premier Cricket 2023-24: Camberwell Magpies’ Tom Scott blasts maiden First XI ton

It wasn’t the result they were hunting, but the Camberwell Magpies could well have unearthed a top-order talent in former Geelong cricketer Tom Scott on Saturday.

Tom Scott pictured in action for Geelong. Picture: Mark Wilson

It was a breakout performance.

Camberwell Magpies young gun Tom Scott toasted his maiden top-flight ton on Saturday in his side’s loss to Northcote, top-scoring with 125 runs off 254 balls.

The left-hander debuted in the club’s First XI in October after crossing from Geelong, putting up a knock of 78 against Greenvale in his fourth match.

A mid-season stint in the Second XI produced an unbeaten 70 against Fitzroy Doncaster in between his nine matches in the top grade, collecting 253 runs so far.

Magpies coach David Alleyne said the former Cat had repaid the faith in spades after being recalled to the firsts a month ago before moving into the No. 2 batting spot in the past fortnight.

Scott’s showing on Saturday yielded 19 boundaries including four sixes to lift the Magpies to 8-340, falling to Northcote’s 5-343.

“The weekend was a culmination of all his hard work,” Alleyne said.

“Tom’s done really well since he’s moved over from Geelong – his commitment to the club, to training and self-improvement has been evident.”

Alleyne said Scott wasn’t the only emerging talent to impress.

Liam Fitzpatrick drove 63 runs on the weekend and has 479 for the season at 39.92, following a career-best 707 last campaign.

Meanwhile, Will Walker leads the Magpies’ bowling with 30 wickets at 20.93 from 12 matches.

“Liam Fitzpatrick’s had another consistent season with the bat … and Akshay Kodoth and Ben Shields at some point of the season have both put in matchwinning contributions (as keepers),” Alleyne said.

“I think our bowling’s been very good and there’s been significant improvement there across all of the bowlers that have played in the First XI team.

“Jack Lyndon (seven wickets from 10 matches) has been exceptional for us, obviously in his first full year in Premier ones cricket and he did really well in Victorian under-19s, and he’s continued in the same trend for Camberwell this year.”

The Magpies sit 14th on the ladder with four wins for the season.

“We are a young club – the majority of the players wouldn’t have played more than maybe 25 games of First XI Premier cricket, so it’s a learning experience for everyone,” Alleyne said.