Victorian Premier Cricket: Jai Elcock and Ryan Hammel scored centuries for Frankston Peninsula
Records were broken and milestones achieved as Frankston Peninsula’s batsmen filled their boots against St Kilda in Victorian Premier Cricket.
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It was a magical and memorable day for Frankston Peninsula against St Kilda on Saturday.
The Heat compiled 4-332 — the first time in their 32 year history in Victoria’s top club competition they’ve sailed past 300 in three consecutive innings.
And leading the way were Frankston Peninsula’s first-season captain Jai Elcock and opener Ryan Hammel, who both notched their maiden Premier Cricket centuries.
Elcock blasted 144 not out off balls 160, while Hammel, despite battling the flu, made a resolute 104 off 213 balls (with 11 fours).
Elcock and Hammel — aged 23 and 24 respectively — are fine young players who are sure to score more big totals now they’ve broken through for their first tons.
Frankston Peninsula coach Pete Marshall said the pair “stood tall’’ against a quality St Kilda attack.
“I was so pleased because both of them should have got centuries against Dandenong and didn’t and then we saw two lads get centuries against us at Greenvale,’’ he said.
“And the message was that you’ve just got to be hungry. When you get yourself an opportunity you’ve got to go on with it and they did yesterday.
“They’re learning. To improve we’ve got to learn from our mistakes.
“It was a quality attack with (Will) Lovell, (Simon) O’Brien, (Josh) Bartlett and Tom Russ. St Kilda are in your face, there’s no doubt about that, and we stood tall.’’
Elcock’s timing was exquisite as he smacked 12 balls to the boundary and seven over it.
Marshall said Elcock, 23, had embraced the leadership role and was flourishing.
“He’s a ripper, he plays without fear,’’ he said.
“He didn’t hesitate to bat when we won the toss. And the boys supported him. He just backs himself and he wasn’t afraid to take on the St Kilda quicks and not only hit boundaries but put them over the fence.’’
Frankston Peninsula openers Hammel and Nick Taranto (37) set a strong foundation with an 89-run partnership.
Elcock and Hammel came together at 2-94 and took the Heat to 2-222 before Hammel was run out.
Vish Bansal then came in and blitzed 34 off 37 balls as Frankston’s innings got a kick along.
“Bansal’s 37 was a pivotal moment because at 3-224 off 74 overs it could have gone either way but he came out and played really positively,’’ Marshall said.
Frankston Peninsula historic stats (courtesy of club legend Glenn Davey):
*Score of 4/332 is the 9th highest score by the 1st XI.
*J Elcock 144* is the 8th highest score in FPCC 1st XI.
*4/332 is highest score against St Kilda 1st XI, previous best 8/301 in 1999/00.
*In 32 seasons, FPCC have never scored 3 consecutive team totals over 300 until now. *Previous best was:
7/304 and 5/304 in 2011/12,
8/364 and 8/349 in 2006/07,
10/307 and 9/338 in 2003/04
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