By Tara Murray
Plenty Valley was on the wrong end of special innings from Prahan’s Jess Duffin in Victorian Women’s Premier Cricket on Sunday.
Still one of Australia’s best with the bat, Duffin put on a show at Yarrambat, hitting the Plenty Valley bowlers all around the ground.
Duffin, who had hit a century in the previous round, made a career-high 235 as Prahran put on a massive 3-381 from its 50 overs.
Bats coach Adam Drinkwell said Duffin was in rare form.
“In the end, it’s a once in a life-time innings,” he said.
“It was painful to watch from a coach’s perspective. Jess is a very special player, who could still be playing at the highest level.
“No matter what team she was playing, she would have done that to them.”
Drinkwell said the Bats didn’t help themselves, with some poor fielding and too many bad balls.
Kiara Jones took two wickets, with all the bowlers going for plenty of runs.
With a win unlikely, the Bats set about spending some time in the middle and getting some batting practice.
Drinkwell said they showed glimpses, but in the end were bowled out for 191.
“Going out to bat, we were being as positive as possible about playing our shots and running well,” he said.
“We didn’t bat the overs out … Sophie Reid and Rhiann O’Donnell had a good partnership.
“They need to start looking at turning 50s and 60s into 100s and taking that next step.
“There are a few others who need to find some form with the bat.”
Photo Gallery: Plenty Valley vs Prahran
Reid top-scored with 53, while O’Donnell made 45.
The Bats are 2-2 after the first month of the season, having played all of last season’s top four teams.
Drinkwell said there were a lot of positives to come out of the first month.
“We’ve got to continue to play positive cricket,” he said.
“We need to get our confidence back up and get a few more wins on the board.
“Internally, we think we’re on the right path. We want improvement year on year. We’ve set some high standards.
“It’s a really even competition and we’ve been really competitive. The girls realise there’s still a long way left in the season.”
Meanwhile, in Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association north-east competition, Plenty Valley lost to Kew.
The Bats made 6-198 from their overs, before Kew chased that down to finish 6-201.
