VSDCA 2024-25: Bayswater’s Rishi Patel blasts off for a second consecutive week

Remember when star UK import Rishi Patel unleashed an almighty 169 on debut for Subbies outfit Bayswater last weekend? Well, he came within a whisker of that on Saturday ...

VSDCA 2024-25: Bayswater's Rishi Patel put up another mammoth score on Saturday. Picture: Supplied

He’s done it again.

A lofty benchmark was set by Bayswater’s heavy-hitting recruit Rishi Patel when the UK import blasted 169 in his Subbies debut in Round 2.

And heads turned left and right again on Saturday as the 26-year-old opener repeated the dose, putting Croydon to the sword with 167 off 126 to spearhead the Waters to a 52-run win.

Facing the wrath of Team of the Year quick Tom McQuinn, record-breaking fast-bowler Chris Brown – and Leicestershire county cricket teammate Tom Scriven – Patel simply didn’t miss, driving 17 fours and seven sixes to lift his side to 7-252.

Just as the crowd – and captain-coach Jason Kilby – were spellbound the previous weekend, the Baysie blaster’s bag of tricks dazzled to the same effect.

MORE: VSDCA North-East weekend wrap

VSDCA 2024-25: Patel peeled off seven sixes on Saturday. Picture: Supplied

“Croydon I would say have one of the better bowling attacks in the comp – and with Tom Scriven, one of his teammates bowling to him and playing against a teammate and another first-class player, he was really looking forward to that,” Kilby said.

“He did not give (Croydon) a chance at all … three quality senior bowlers, and he wasn’t troubled at all, to be honest.

“Once he got set, he was unstoppable – once again, scoring all over the ground, he hit some amazing shots again.

“He built a really good partnership with Sam Carter – they put on 92 for the fourth wicket.

“We were 4-100 at the drinks break so it probably could have gone either way, and it just got better and better.

“It was incredible to watch … I don’t think he played and missed.”

VSDCA 2024-25: All smiles for Bayswater’s Rishi Patel after 169 on debut and 167 on Saturday. Picture: Supplied

The feat also followed a 112-run effort last Tuesday night against Ferntree Gully in the Ringwood & District T20 competition – with Patel smashing 13 fours and four sixes off 54 balls in a nine-wicket loss.

But he wasn’t the only Bayswater gun firing again.

Teenage bowling prodigy Jakey Pietz turned it on for a second consecutive weekend in the First XI on Saturday, with the off-spinner collecting 4-42 after 3-30 last round.

“He bowled nine overs straight to take that four-for and it was a fantastic spell,” Kilby said.

“He might’ve only given away three boundaries in his nine overs and to take four wickets … he bowls an arm ball that’s very quick for a 15-year-old kid.

“He’d be as quick as the opening bowlers he faces on a Friday night or a Sunday morning in his junior cricket!”

It capped off a week in which Pietz, a member of Camberwell Magpies’ Dowling Shield squad, was named in the Vic Metro under-17s.

“I can’t speak highly enough of how he’s started the year and how much he’s come on – it was great reward for him during the week … we’re super excited for him.”

Croydon opener Josh McMeeken topscored for the Cockies with 59 off 80, while Scriven collected 3-41 off nine.