VSDCA 2018-19: Malvern skipper Luke Walker starts with century
A FITNESS focus during the off-season paid immediate dividends for Malvern skipper Luke Walker as he chalked up his first hundred for the club against Melton.
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AFTER a frustrating run of half-centuries last season, Malvern captain and star batsman Luke Walker vowed to get fitter to ensure he converted solid starts into to centuries.
The seven-time AFL Grand Final umpire gave up the calicos and spent the footy season running around field umpiring in the Southern Football Netball League.
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The decision to concentrate of his fitness paid immediate dividends for Walker as, on the opening day of the season, he grafted a patient century and shepherded his side to a competitive 4-222 off its 80 overs against Melton at McPherson Park.
After the loss of two quick wickets, Walker was in early and took 30 balls to get off the mark as the spirited home attack made life difficult for the Malvern captain.
A third-wicket partnership of 52 with Randev Pathirana (44 off 114) resurrected the innings, but when gun recruit Glen Parker was dismissed for 18 with the score at 4-97 the innings was in danger of unravelling.
Walker remained calm throughout and used his decade of Premier Cricket experience to marshall the troops.
He walked off at the end of the innings unbeaten on 107 having faced 225 balls and hit 9 boundaries.
He was supported by debutante Jeff Davies (47no off 86 balls) as they put on 125 for the fifth wicket to wrestle back control of the game.
After a strong Second XI finals campaign at the end of last season, Davies could not have been more impressive in the First XI as he ran hard and ensured as much of the strike as possible for his in-form partner.
Walker was tired, yet relieved, to compile his first ton for the Roosters.
“Personally, it was good to go on and be there at the finish. It was hard work and they bowled very well on a slowish deck,” he said.
“(Pathirana) really put his head down at a crucial time when things could have gone pear-shaped and Jeff was brilliant and grew in confidence as the innings went on.
“It was great to see another young player look comfortable at the level.”
On a very big ground, the outfield and wicket were slow so the Roosters’ total should prove competitive.
“It is pretty simple. We will need to bowl in good areas next weekend because if you bowl line and length it is hard to get away,” he said.
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