VCCL: 15yo Sam Field produces Country Week brilliance for Mornington Peninsula

A 15-year-old schoolboy has blitzed with bat and ball on day three of Melbourne Country Week cricket — and then declared, “it’s better than school”.

Sam Field in Flinders colours.

A 15-year-old schoolboy has dominated with bat and ball on day three of Melbourne Country Week cricket on Wednesday.

Sam Field made an unbeaten 59 and then took 4-18 to fire Mornington Peninsula to a reosunding victory over Maryborough District — and then declared, “it’s better than being at school’’.

“I’ve been enjoying it, it’s a pretty cool experience,’’ Field said of his first Country Week campaign.

“It’s an awesome bunch of guys.’’

Field shared an unconquered 120-run partnership with Mornington Peninsula star Matt Prosser (62no), who described the youngster as “a special talent’’.

“He’s unreal,’’ Prosser said.

“When I went out there to bat he’s just got the biggest smile on his face...the confidence as well. He’s just got so much confidence and he’s always happy. He’s a good boy.’’

Sam Field was presented with his cap by Shane Beggs on Monday. Picture: Supplied

Field hit a four and a six during his 67-ball stay.

“It was a breath of fresh air going out there,’’ Prosser said.

“When I’d walked out to bat we’d just lost three quick wickets and they’d brought the field in pretty tight for him, and he was saying to me he wanted to run down and hit the spinner over cover, and this and that. There’s a level of confidence but not arrogance if that makes sense.

“He’s a special talent but he’s such a good kid. I enjoyed batting with him so much, it was so cool.’’

The Purples put up 4-263, with Sam Fowler (50) and skipper Kierran Voelkl (50) laying the foundations.

Iin reply, Maryborough was dismissed for 114 in the 33rd over, with Field finishing with 4-19 off 6.5 overs, Billy Humphrey 2-20, Lachlan Hose 1-24 and Samson Storey 1-27.

Mornington Peninsula is undefeated in Division 2 and, even with a round to go, are guaranteed of promotion back to Provincial.

The Purples face Ballarat on Thursday — and the same two sides are likely to meet in Friday’s final (both grand finalists get promoted).

Field is rooming with his dad Dwayne and Mornington Peninsula coach Bobby Wilson this week.

Sam attends team dinners each night.

“He’s around the group. It’s pretty cool,’’ Prosser said.

“Everyone’s taking really good care of him.

“We’re not going to see much of him in the Purples because he’s going to go onto bigger and better things. But just to have him around is pretty cool. And today justified his selection as well, he’s a good young talent. He deserves it and he showed it today.’’