VSDCA 2022-23: Bayswater’s Jordan Ludgater goes large with 181 not-out

It’s being hailed as Bayswater’s most complete batting performance of the season led by a boom recruit’s stunning numbers, while a debutant impressed.

BAYSWATER coach Jason Kilby describes it as his side’s most complete batting performance of the season.

The Waters piled on 6-346 in their bout with Noble Park on Saturday, spearheaded by opener Jordan Ludgater with an unbeaten 181 off 227 deliveries.

The boom recruit drove 18 boundaries to set the hosts a lofty target this weekend, amid a season scoring 531 runs at an average of 48.3.

Jordan Ludgater raiseed the bat with 181 not-out. Picture: Bayswater CC

Ludgater joined the Waters ahead of this season after playing in the WA Premier comp in the seconds, having previously spent time at Ringwood with Kilby.

“Even when he got to 100, you could tell he wasn’t finished – he just wanted to keep going,” Kilby said of Ludgater’s innings on Saturday.

“Him going to Perth and playing there for a year, he’s come back a much better player … he’s made a few tweaks to his game and he’s definitely reaped the rewards for that this season.

“He’s had a super year and made over 500 runs now and the way he batted on the weekend, it was very tough in the first hour, the ball seamed around and had a lot of carry but he fought through that.

“After that he just batted so well and paced his innings perfectly – we’d obviously been under a bit of pressure to bat our overs after our last game against Altona.”

Meanwhile, No. 3 batsman Sachin Halangode plundered 73 runs off 114 balls, partnering with Ludgater for 127 while Kilby registered 51 off 99, pairing with the top-scorer for 132.

“At the start of the day we said we wanted two big partnerships … so to have two 100-run partnerships was just great – in the previous game our highest partnership was 50, so to do that, you put yourself in a winning position.

“For us to put another team on the receiving end of that was super.

“To have two 100-run partnerships is something we’ve been talking about for a long time, and to do that it absolutely is (our most complete batting performance of the season).

“To have 346 on the board I think is 120 runs higher than our next-best innings.”

The match also marked the First XI debut of 18-year-old Riley Foley, who combined for a 50-run partnership with Ludgater.

Foley linked with Bayswater this season via Yarra Junction and had lit it up in the lower grades to earn his shot in the top-flight.

“He’s made just shy of 300 runs in the seconds and three 50s … he’s had a good, consistent year and been rewarded,” Kilby said.

“Without a doubt it’s hard when you’ve watched three of the top five bat for a long time, make a lot of runs, then to come in and be a part of a partnership, it’s a credit to him.”

Bayswater (16th) is chasing its second victory of the season against Noble Park (13th) this Saturday.