South East Cricket Association: Matt Harris and Jack Munnings peel off centuries

From 74 runs last season to 622, and counting, this season, an East Sandringham batsman is enjoying a golden summer. Here’s how he’s done it.

Jack Munnings batting for East Sandringham. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Confidence is a huge thing in batting.

One innings, even a shot, can ignite a stretch of good form.

Such has been the case for East Sandringham opener Jack Munnings, who peeled off his second century of the season on Saturday.

His unbeaten 102, along with opening partner Matt Harris’ 158, steered East Sandy (1-296) to an eye-popping run chase win over Le Page Park (9-294) in SECA Longmuir Shield.

The pair shared a 259-run partnership.

Munnings also went past 600 runs for the season, surging to 622, at 62.50.

This from the same player who eked out 74 runs, at 9, in nine games last season, mainly batting at four or five in the order.

Why the turnaround?

It all began in the opening round of the season when Munnings opened the innings and made 89 against Elwood. He was away.

In Round 8, Munnings made 123 against Kingston Heath.

Now he’s seeing them like beach balls.

“Hard work and a bit of belief,’’ East Sandringham coach Shane Hesline said, explaining what’s behind Munnings’ golden summer.

“He’s been given a role. And definitely fitness.’’

Munnings has also taken 16 wickets with the ball this season, a stark improvement on his wicket-less return from 22 overs last season.

Matthew Harris on the cut for East Sandringham. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Hesline said East Sandringham’s mighty run chase victory was impressive but was quick to point out it was against a “very inexperienced’’ Le Page bowling attack.

“Let’s not get too carried away,’’ he said.

“They were probably a bit defensive early. Having a defensive field, if you’re smart enough you can just pick them off which is what the boys did. They didn’t play too many rash shots and when they got a bad ball they put it away.’’

Harris is also having a splendid summer. His 158 off 174 balls (18 fours, 3 sixes) was his second straight century, following 113 against CHAG.

Since Christmas, Harris has made 66, 113 and 158…for a season tally so far of 469 runs, at 52.

Hesline said Munnings and Harris had formed a good rapport. “They run hard between the wickets, the boys, it doesn’t matter if it’s 20 degrees or 35 degrees,’’ he said.

Kingston Heath continued its march to finals with a rousing run chase win over Elwood. Chasing 202, the Burras (6-204) got home in the 69th over thanks largely to a 162-run second wicket partnership between opener Steve Burke (59 off 150 balls, with 5 fours) and Matthew Cefala (97 off 181 balls, with 12 fours).

SOUTH EAST CRICKET ASSOCIATION

CENTURIES

201* - Aravind Chiragoni, CUCC Kings, F Grade

158 - Matthew Harris, East Sandringham, Longmuir Shield

147 - Paraskumar Patel, Highett West, I Grade

130 - Shikhar Dhyani, Mackie, G Grade

130 - Rajandeep Shergill, Diamond Cricket Club, F Grade

128 - Josh Hampson, Omega, Woolnough Shield

116* - Tom Elefteriou, Hampton Central, F Grade

113 - Sukhjinder Sandhu, Diamond Cricket Club, F Grade

102* - Jack Munnings, East Sandringham, Longmuir Shield

99 - Manpreet Singh, Mackie, H Grade

FIVE-FORS

6-21 - Shalabh Gupta, St.Brigid’s St.Louis, J Grade

6-32 - Majid Ali, Washington Park, Woolnough Shield

6-33, Swejeeth Kumar, CUCC Kings, Pullen Shield

5-3 - George Bristow, Washington Park, Sat Rookies West

5-4 - Hrian Pancholi, Washington Park, Sat Rookies West

5-9 - Lester-Kim Chang, East Oakleigh, M Grade

5-14 - Adam Walsh, Brighton District, K Grade

5-16 - Brent Quantrelle, Aspendale, J Grade

5-25 - Michael Knight, Le Page Park, Quiney Shield

5-26 - Finn Williams, Bentleigh, Sat Rookies West

5-38 - Michael Flahive, Highett West, E Grade

5-41 - Ravinder Verma, Mackie, G Grade

5-59 - A K V Tyrone, Bentleigh, Woolnough Shield

5-61 - Niran Warnakula, Gladiators,E Grade

5-67 - Aaron Swann, Bentleigh Uniting, Quiney Shield

5-72 - William McCarthy, Elwood, G Grade

5-101 - Adam Ross, Hampton Central, F Grade