Premier Cricket: Dandenong’s James Nanopoulos collects 8-16

The scoreboard was barely believable as Dandenong all-rounder James Nanopoulos produced an extraordinary Premier Cricket performance.

James Nanopoulos is in red-hot form. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Champion Dandenong all-rounder James Nanopoulos made a mess of Kingston Hawthorn’s batting line-up in a remarkable Premier Cricket display on Saturday.

The most prolific bowler in the Panthers’ history returned 8-16 from 10 immaculate overs at Shepley Oval as the home side cruised to a nine-wicket win.

Nanopoulos’ opening four overs garnered 6-0 including a hat-trick as the Hawks tumbled to a barely believable 7-4.

It could have easily been mistaken for a junior scorecard.

But Victoria’s pre-eminent cricket competition?

Kingston Hawthorn newcomer Abhishek Jain, who attracted headlines when he blasted 148 against Frankston Peninsula in Round 2, was the only batsman to offer meaningful resistance as he finished with 33 not out in a slim total of 48.

There were six ducks and extras (8) made the second-best contribution.

But the scoreboard could have looked even worse had Dandenong skipper Tom Donnell not given Jain a life before he had got off the mark.

Nanopoulos said it was a surreal half-an-hour of destruction with the new ball as batsmen arrived and exited in less time than it would take to pad up.

He took full advantage of some assistance from the wicket, with the ball “swinging around a bit”.

What a day for Dandenong great James Nanopoulos: 8-16, including a hat-trick, off 10 overs against Kingston Hawthorn at Shepley. Hawks all out for 48 in 20 overs. They had been 7-4. Abhi Jain 33 no for the visitors. @vicpremcricket pic.twitter.com/oFydYpQydI

— Paul Amy (@PaulAmy375) December 19, 2020

“It happened so quickly too. It was only about six overs in,” Nanopoulos said of his opening burst.

“We were going to bat first as well because the wicket actually wasn’t too bad.

“I was pretty happy with where they were landing. I had a pretty good rhythm and felt really good.

“Some days you bowl really well and don’t get any wickets, so when you get that chance you have to cash in I guess.”

Nanopoulos has made a habit of dismantling opposition batting line-ups, collecting 9-26 against Greenvale Kangaroos in Round 12 last season.

They were the competition’s best figures in more than six decades as Nanopoulos finished 2019-20 with 46 wickets at 12.5 apiece.

A season of one-day fixtures has failed to reduce his impact, with the gun right-armer grabbing 16 wickets at 6.9 from four games this summer.

The seasoned campaigner, who has 387 wickets to his name since joining Dandenong in 2003-04, said he was in career-best form.

“I’m feeling really good, body’s good,” Nanopoulos said.

“I can’t complain where I’m at at the moment.”

Lincoln Edwards (22 not out) and Comrey Edgeworth (21) helped fourth-placed Dandenong race to 1-51 from 9.2 overs, with the win improving its record to 3-1.

“We’ve got a good balance of young and old in our squad at the moment,” Nanopoulos said.

“Braden Taeuber took his first (First XI wicket (on Saturday) and we’ve got a couple of good bats that are doing well.

“We let one slip against Melbourne (in Round 2) unfortunately when we had them on the ropes, but apart from that it’s been pretty good.

“Hopefully it can continue.”

The Panthers will next tackle Casey-South Melbourne when Premier Cricket resumes on January 9.