VSDCA 2018-19: Peter Martinich hits maiden century as Balwyn takes control against Bayswater
A MAIDEN century from Peter Martinich helped Balwyn take control of its Sub-District Cricket fixture against Bayswater.
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PETER Martinich failed to make 100 runs last season.
But it took him just one innings this campaign to reach triple-figures, carving out a maiden century as Balwyn set up an imposing total against Bayswater on Saturday.
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Martinich finished on 117, hitting 13 fours and one six, to steer the Tigers to 315 on a flat wicket at Bayswater Oval in the Round 1 VSDCA fixture.
The No. 5 batsman, a regular in Balwyn’s seconds and thirds teams in recent years, made just 84 runs from eight First XI games last season.
He had to steady Balwyn’s innings after it lost 3-15 to fall to 3-94.
But a fourth-wicket stand worth 121 with James Lowrie took the game away from Bayswater as the pair drove the score to 3-215.
Lowrie found the rope 10 times during his knock of 66.
“They all batted really well. I don’t think he gave any chances,” Bayswater captain Blair Allan said of Martinich’s innings.
“He batted well and unfortunately we couldn’t get him out early, so he punished us a little bit.”
Debutant Nick Crawford (39) and Deelan Ramjee (43) had earlier put down the foundations with a 79-run opening stand.
But both departed in quick succession to the spin of Tim Emmett, with No. 4 Liam Fitzpatrick (2) soon also on his way.
“The pitch was real flat and dead, basically nothing from ball one that we could get off the pitch and a really fast outfield,” Allan said.
“Would have been good to win the toss but unfortunately they did.
“It’s 3.5 an over so if we can bat 80 overs I have no doubt we can get to that.
“You need to get over 250 on Bayswater Oval to be comfortable.
“If we were to restrict them to that I would have been happy.
“Obviously they’ve got a bit more than that so we’ve got a bit of work to do so hopefully our top-order batsmen can get good starts and get us on the way.”
Balwyn was bowled out in the penultimate over, with Allan (3-40), Tim Sugumar (3-75) and Emmett (3-95) sharing the wickets.
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