NSW Premier Cricket Rd 6, T20: St George’s Andrew Walsh notches season high score

It was a performance which left this Sydney schoolteacher’s clubmates highly emotional after their Premier Cricket game. So what triggered the dressing room tears?

Cricketer Andrew Walsh in full swing. Pic: Hamish Solomons

Schoolteacher Andrew Walsh’s best previous score in grade cricket was 63. Now he has notched a tally more than three times higher in an extraordinary day out in Premier Cricket.

So incredible was his 208 batting display the PE teacher from Casula High School said clubmates and coaches were crying as they celebrated their win over UTS North Sydney later in the dressing room.

“I absolutely love my cricket,” said Walsh, who made his Premier Cricket debut at just 17 and returned to first grade this season after captaining the second side for two years due to other commitments.

Andrew Walsh, third from left top row, has had a day out he will never forget in Premier Cricket.

Cricketer Andrew Walsh suffered cramops during his big hitout. Pic: Hamish Solomons

“That was an unbelievable day. One to remember for sure.

“We had one of the best team songs ever afterwards. Grown men and coaches were in tears saying it was the best game they have ever seen.”

The 28-year-old’s score is now the best individual total this season and pushes UNSW’s Matthew Gilkes and his 200 to second place on the top scorers list. They are the only two cricketers to score 200 or more this season.

On Sunday Walsh also played a major role in St George upsetting Sutherland in the Kingsgrove T20 derby, taking 3-24 in his teams two run win.

On Saturday Walsh came in at 6-52 in the match where St George were chasing UTS North Sydney’s 9-355d at Hurstville Oval on the second day of round six.

Walsh made 208 before he was ninth out at 351, falling to the first ball of the 96th over.

But the scene was set for his side’s thrilling win.

Blues gun Matthew Gilkes was the previous highest scorer in Premier cricket this season.

Walsh’s 15 sixes has been surpassed only by Victor Trumper (22), Tibby Cotter (16) and Shane Watson (16).

“We were talking about targets and little achievement along the way,” said Walsh, who lives at Rosebery.

“The adrenaline was pumping. When I got to about 100 my arms were cramping quite badly but I got through it.”

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Originally published as NSW Premier Cricket Rd 6, T20: St George’s Andrew Walsh notches season high score