Victorian Premier Cricket: Frankston Peninsula’s Nick England blasts 189 in Third XI qualifying final
A young Frankston Peninsula batter has been applauded for his persistence after fighting back from demotion to hit 189 in a qualifying final.
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Frankston Peninsula’s young batter Nick England has had a rollercoaster of a season, with dips and dizzying heights.
Right now, he’s enjoying the ride, at the top of his game.
The 21-year-old started the season with a duck for his local club side Baxter back in October.
His Frankston Peninsula campaign started in the thirds but a lean stretch of form saw him dropped to the fourths.
Through hard work and weight of runs, England fought his way back, rising to the Heat’s seconds late in the season.
And on Saturday, he played the innings of his career — a brilliant 189 — to fire Frankston Peninsula’s Third XI to victory over Melbourne in a qualifying final at Jubilee Park.
England was in total command, his 285-ball stay including 12 fours and 4 sixes.
His imperious knock helped Frankston Peninsula to 7-392 after skipper Aaron McIlroy won the toss and batted.
Sean Parker (42), Josh Hotson (51) and Lachie Klauer (78) were also in the runs.
In reply, Melbourne was dismissed for 261 on Sunday, with Liam Walsh taking 3-22 off nine overs, McIlroy 2-38 and Klauer 2-48.
Frankston Peninsula assistant coach Pete Marshall said England’s performance was reward for persistence.
“What a terrific effort by a lad who started in the thirds, got dropped to the fourths, worked his way back and finished in the seconds, and then he comes out and makes 189 in a final,” Marshall said.
“He was hitting sixes…it was a mighty performance.”
Marshall said Frankston Peninsula’s performance on Saturday was utterly dominant.
“In any day of cricket that I’ve been involved in as a player or a coach, which is probably 50 years, I’ve never seen such a dominant performance by a team,” he said.
“Come the last over we were only three down on Saturday night — and we lost two wickets in the last over. We were basically 3-376. It was incredible.”
Frankston Peninsula finished on top of the ladder and Marshall said the side has a nice mix of experience and youth.
The Heat will host St Kilda in a semi-final at Jubilee Park this Saturday and Sunday.
Meanwhile, Frankston Peninsula is likely to announce a new head coach in the coming weeks.
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