Tara Murray
Footscray legend Dean Russ may have got a duck in his 300th first XI Victorian Premier Cricket match, but he was quick to see the funny side of it.
Russ became just the 14th player to play 300 first XI games in Premier-District cricket on Saturday as he lined up against the Greenvale Kangaroos.
The match would be a winning one for the Bulldogs, with the side having little trouble as they cemented a spot in the top eight heading into Christmas.
Russ said it’s pretty special to reach game 300.
“It has been a lot of Saturdays, Tuesdays and Thursdays,” he said.
“You never set out to play that many games when you start playing premier cricket.
“It involves a lot of support from the family. You have a lot of time away from them with cricket.
“Also having the team and support makes it a lot easier.”
Russ, ever the team man, was quick to deflect the attention to that of his teammates and what the result meant for the team, who are in sixth spot having started to find some form.
The Kangaroos were bowled out for 132 in the final over of their innings. Travis Dean took four wickets for the Bulldogs.
Russ finished without a wicket from his 10 overs.
The Bulldogs made the runs with ease, finishing 3-133 with Dan Sartori finishing 84 not out, having already made two 100s this season.
Russ it was a first ball duck as he became the third wicket in a hat-trick to Nick McGuane.
“It sums up cricket perfectly,” Russ said about his dismissal. “I walked off having a laugh.
“To get [Dylan] Brasher, [Travis] Dean, it’s a pretty good hat-trick. We had a beer after the game and had a laugh about it.”
Russ has had plenty of highs and lows in his career at the Bulldogs.
He captained the side for 73 games and is a premiership winning captain, he is a life member of the club, a six-time Hughes-Eastwood Medallist.
Last season he was named Premier Cricket’s best player, winning the Ryder Medal.
For Russ the aim of another premiership keeps him going.
“You always want to win another flag,” he said. “For the last five years I’ve thought about what is next.
“I love being around the club and the guys. “I still love playing. I know I’m closer to the end than the start.
Russ, who works for Cricket Victoria, admits at times its difficult with so much cricket in his life, but he keeps coming back.
He said the greatest thing for him is the friends he has made in the game.
“Mateship is number one,” he said. “We’re at each other’s wedding and our kids are now friends.
“I hold that dear and cherish that over everything else.”
While he gets a break on field over the next few weeks, Russ is busy working and keeping an eye on the next generation of Victorian cricketers.
