Premier Cricket: Ayres backs Bomber James Seymour for state call-up

Dandenong coach Warren Ayres says the time is right to reward Essendon star James Seymour for averaging 100 this season.

James Seymour has gone past 800 runs in Premier Cricket this season.

Warren Ayres saw more of James Seymour’s batting than he would have liked last Saturday.

But he liked what he saw, and the Dandenong coach believes the Essendon opener is ready to play for Victoria.

The left-hander hit 108 not out, his third century of the Premier season, to set up the Bombers for an important victory over the Panthers at Windy Hill on Saturday.

The home team put up 6-223 and castled the Panthers for 149. They were 7-76 at one stage but Suraj Randiv (23), Peter Cassidy (30) and Adam McMaster (19) showed some fight in the lower-order.

Seymour’s century was made off 150 balls and was spiced with 14 boundaries.

He’s now up to 820 runs at an average of 102.5, heading the charts in Premier Cricket.

Former Victorian batsman Ayres – Premier Cricket’s leading run scorer – says the time has come for Seymour to be selected in the state team.

He said Seymour had improved his batting in the past two or three years and had an excellent all-round game.

The number of runs he was making was proof of it.

“He’s an accomplished player, knows his game very well,’’ Ayres said.

“He plays within his limitations, which is something he didn’t do in years gone by. He’s really honed his game. He’s got some great shots, which are the cut and the pull, and they’re good shots to have in your repertoire. He runs really well between the wickets. He’s really smart at manipulating the ball around to make sure his score ticks along.

Dandenong coach Warren Ayres is a James Seymour fan.

“I don’t know him from a bar of soap, but I do know he can really bat and with what he did on the weekend, he impressed me. My view is that it’s time to give him a chance. He’s been a leading player for a while now. Anyone who is doing really well in Premier Cricket and has done it consistently, I’d like to see them pushed up. In my view he’d be a good option.’’

Essendon has been going into bat for Seymour on its Twitter account, on Saturday tweeting “how this bloke is not playing @VicStateCricket is just a joke’’.

It prompted former Victorian Premier Cricket manager Mike Ronchi, now involved at Frankston Peninsula, to reply: “CV constitution states … Premier Clubs will: act in good faith & loyalty to maintain & enhance Cricket Victoria & Cricket … & … at all times promote mutual trust & confidence between Cricket Victoria … Here’s one doing a great job carrying out their role!’’

The Bombers hit back with: “We’ll continue to fulfil our role and seek to enhance Cricket by calling out and challenging things we believe can be improved. You can go on reading the Constitution......’’

While Ayres was impressed with Seymour, he was less pleased with his team’s batting.

The loss sent the Panthers tumbling out of the top eight heading into the final round.

But with Geelong (sixth) and Northcote (seventh) playing each other, Dandenong needs only to defeat 16th-placed Greenvale Kangaroos at Shepley Oval to qualify for the finals.

The Panthers’ Second XI is entrenched in the top eight despite losing on Saturday.

Andrey Fernando (70) scored his second half-century in three hands and Dasun Opanayaka led the bowling with 4-30 off 10 overs.

Premiership player LJ Edwards made 10 in his return from injury.