Tara Murray
Lalor Stars’ Jamie Scott has produced one of the more remarkable individual innings to have his side on top against Laurimar in the Diamond Valley Cricket Association Money Shield.
In a day for the bowlers with 14 wickets falling for just 240 runs on Saturday, Scott proved to be the outlier as he put his side in a winning position.
The Stars batted first and were bowled out for 185, with Scott hitting 103 of those runs. Just two other players reached double figures for the Stars, with the next highest scorer making 13.
Stars captain Ricky Mittica said everyone who watched the game was left stunned by Scott’s performance.
“I’ve been playing cricket for 25 years and it’s the best innings that I have seen,” he said. “He found the middle of the bat from ball one.
“Joey [Abbas] was able to stick around with him. It came as a surprise from everyone.
“I don’t think he knew what to think. We were happy Joey was able to stick around with him as he was running out of partners.
“You should see all the comments on our Facebook page.”
Scott, who remained unbeaten at the end of the innings, made his runs at nearly a run a ball.
Mittaca said Scott almost didn’t play this season, but had been one of their shining lights.
“He will go close to winning the competition medal,” he said. “He has taken 26 wickets and made 250 odd runs.
“He hasn’t batted like that though, besides against Bundoora United. I don’t think he’s made a Money Shield 100, let alone a 100 in any cricket.
“It was just ridiculous.”
Having put a solid total on the table, the Stars bowlers did the job, with the Power in trouble at 4-35 at stumps.
There was one downside with Scott bowling just four balls, before back spasms stopped him bowling.
“Joey got a couple of early ones and Paddy [Taylor] and Ethan [Baade] have been bowling well,” Mittaca said.
“Bowling has always been good, it’s been our batting which has been the issue, Jamie showed us how to go about it.”
Mittaca said having done enough to stay up in the Money Shield this season with a young side, they would take the year as a successful one.
He said there were plenty of good signs to build on in the future.
“We are progressing really well,” he said. “The last three weeks training wise have been amazing on the track.
“Staying up in Money was the plan and hopefully we can build the team and get a couple of players back which would be massive to help the young kids.”
In other matches, Lower Eltham has already claimed first innings points against Eltham, Banyule is 0-34 in reply to Plenty’s 174, Montmorency is 0-10 in reply to Greensborough’s 201 and Bundoora Park is 1-1 in reply to Bundoora United’s 178.
In the Barclay Shield, Bundoora made 9-275 against Rosebank and Epping needs 162 against Diamond Creek.
