Xander Buxton hits form in Premier Cricket Under 16 series

And Carlton’s Xavier Austin and Melbourne’s Henry Melville are putting down their influence on the competition.

Xander Buxton after his innings against Richmond.

Two rounds completed in the Victorian Premier Cricket Under 16 boys series and two big scores for Melbourne’s Xander Buxton.

That he stands at the top of the run list will surprise no one familiar with state under-age cricket; the right-hander is regarded as one of the most promising players in Victoria.

Buxton opened the carnival with an innings of 130 against Casey South Melbourne, and yesterday he hit 85 off 91 deliveries against Richmond at Beaumaris Secondary College.

It followed successive half-centuries for the Demons’ Second XI, 91 not out against St Kilda on Australia Day and 72 against Essendon last Saturday.

The 16-year-old is attending Melbourne Grammar and is attached to the strong Toorak-Prahran junior section.

He played at Peninsula Old Boys before his family moved to Melbourne.

“It’s been good overall,’’ Buxton said of his season.

“A few ups and downs but I’m starting to get an understanding of where my batting’s at and where I’m wanting it to go. Nice to get a few scores.’’

He made a few last season too, including 111 against WA for the Victorian Country Under 15 team.

Melbourne made it two from two when it totted up 6-249 from its 50 overs and held the Tigers to 7-165.

Harry DeMattia, fresh from captaining Ormond to the VSDCA John Craig Shield premiership, hit 38 from 36 balls after Buxton and Koby James (44) raised 108 for the first wicket.

Kingston Hawthorn also secured its second win when it defeated Frankston Peninsula.

Trae Love-Linay (69), Luke Hawkeswood (51) and opener Luke Healey (38) contributed best to the Hawks’ total of 9-270 at Walter Galt Reserve.

Kyle Parrott (47) and Charlie Robinson-Cay (65) did well for the Heat, who were bowled out for 216.

Carlton’s Xavier Austin cracked his maiden century as the Blues (7-233) held out Essendon (7-217).

Right-hand opener Austin is one of four Bendigo United youngsters to have linked with Carlton for the series. The others are Toby Travaglia, who is playing two years under his age, Will Pinniger and Henry Edwards.

Wangaratta’s Darcy Wilson, an opening bowler, also brings a bush flavour to the Blues, who are being coached by Carlton First XI players Donovan Pell and Tom Smyth.

Pell said Austin timed the ball “unbelievably well’’.

“He got to 60 without any real hassle, then he was dropped,’’ he said.

“From that point on he manipulated the field to get himself his first-ever hundred.’’

Austin also bowls tidy off-spin and came on first change against the Bombers, who had good performers in Brodie Richardson (50) and Lucas McKinnon (48).

Pell said Carlton was involving the Under 16 players into senior training.

“We haven’t just got them for the week and then they leave,’’ he said.

“We’re building our future through these boys by having them at our training, playing for Carlton and then hopefully becoming senior Carlton cricketers.

“I’m really rapt that Cricket Victoria has created the Dowling (Under 16 series) back at club land. I just hope it continues at club land.’’

Pell, 27, said he was enjoying his foray into coaching.

Geelong also had a centurymaker in Henry Melville, a Colac lad who is playing First XI cricket at South Barwon.

He opened the innings and crafted 108 from 147 deliveries as the Cats tallied 7-211. They then bowled out the Bulldogs for 189, opening bowler Rhys McWaters grabbing 3-20 off 6.4 overs. Lachlan McArthur led the Footscray batting with an even 50, off 77 balls.

In a low-scoring fixture on a bowler-friendly deck at Greenvale, Melbourne University (7-94) edged past Greenvale Kangaroos (91).

Uni opening bowlers Harrison Sheahan (3-6 off eight overs) and Oliver de Stefanis (3-14 off six) swept through the Kangas’ top-order.

James Jarrett (23) and Jack Pysing (27) resisted for the home team, and Charles Bolmat (3-34) bowled well to ensure Uni had to scrap in the run chase.

At Toorak Park, Camberwell Magpies (4-144) eased past the True Blues (142), thanks largely to opener Patrick Forrest’s 56 and Jack Carey’s 3-18 off 9.4 overs.

Alex Turner played a determined hand of 50 for Prahran.