Victorian Premier Cricket: Frankston Peninsula skipper Jai Elcock and opener Ryan Hammel in the runs
Two near-tons and a strong middle-order offering are signs of Frankston Peninsula’s improved status in Premier Cricket, according to Heat coach Peter Marshall.
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It’s only early in the season but Frankston Peninsula has already ticked some important boxes.
Urged to play positive cricket by new coach Peter Marshall in the lead-up to the season, the Heat did exactly that against Dandenong on Saturday, compiling 6-281 off 90 overs at Butler Oval.
Rookie captain Jai Elcock led from the front with a career-best 88, including 16 boundaries.
Opener Ryan Hammel also impressed making a determined 80 off 189 balls.
Second-gamer Luke Kranzbuhler (35), Charlie Maxwell (32) and keeper Sean van Wijk (28no) made vital contributions.
Dandenong’s bowling attack was led by James Nanopoulos (2-30 off 21 overs), up against his former side.
Frankston’s seconds also batted the full 90 overs, posting 5-232.
Marshall was chuffed with his players’ application.
“We were good yesterday,” he said.
“It’s a long time since Frankston’s ones and twos have batted their 90 overs.
“I made a point, ‘there are three things today. Frankston have batted their overs.
Two blokes should have got their maiden Premier centuries (Elcock and Hammel). And we had belief to win the toss and honour our captain’s call and bat the day’.
“I think in the past Frankston’s been a little bit hesitant and worried about their batting depth but we backed the skipper and he should have got a hundred.”
Frankston Peninsula could bat on and post a 300-plus total when the match resumes on Saturday.
Frankston Peninsula welcomed another debutant, 19-year-old Harry Wallace, who is the son of club president and Heat champion Cameron Wallace and wife Gert.
Frankston life member and director of cricket Brad Glenn presented Harry, a product of Old Peninsula, with cap 194.
Meanwhile, Matt Gapes played his 250th game for Frankston Peninsula, making 50 in the twos. Gapes has played 153 of those games in the ones.
Australian Test star Scott Boland helped take Heat training last week, along with ex-Test man Jon Holland.
“The place is up and about,’’ Marshall said.
The Heat’s Middlesex recruit Ishaan Kaushal is due to arrive in the next week or so.
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