Scott Edwards put on a show and made history in the process for Altona Sports in the Western Suburbs Churches and Community Cricket Association T20 competition.
The Netherlands captain, who has played Victorian Premier Cricket and currently playing in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association, is one of the marquee players in the Churches T20 competition.
He showed exactly why in Sports’ win against Manor Lakes in the division 1 competition on Thursday night.
Opening the batting, Edwards scored more runs than most sides do in a T20 match.
Edwards and Lachlan Bangs, who played for the Melbourne Stars, put on 150 for the first wicket.
Once Bangs went out, Edwards continued on and made a massive 229 not out off 81 balls.
His innings included 23 sixes and 14 fours.
Sports captain Dean Bryden said it was a remarkable innings to sit and watch.
“It was a pretty crazy night,” he said. “It’s a club record score and it’s the competition record for the T20s as well.
“Him and Lachie started off strongly. Scott was dropped on about 25.
“Once Lachie went out he just went for it. Brayden [Svilar] came out next and the message was to get Scott on strike for the rest of the innings.”
Bryden said what was pleasing was the bowlers were then switched on and stayed focused on the task at hand.
He said with totals like that it’s easy for the bowlers to just drop away.
Williams Landing was bowled out for 118 in reply.
Gilhan De Silva took 4-19 for Sports.
Bryden, who is also the league registrar, said that Williams Landing, which has been strong in all formats, is having a good first T20 competition.
Williams Landing has won two of its four games so far.
The win for Altona Sports moves it to second on the table with one round remaining.
It will be played in late January.
Sports has three teams across the four T20 divisions this season, with the other two sides also having strong seasons. It’s the first time clubs have had multiple T20 sides.
In the Saturday competition, A.E Lowe Shield, the reigning premiers are in a tough battle this season with five sides in the mix for finals at the moment.
Currently, it’s in the middle of a top of the table clash with Manor Lakes.
On day one, Manor Lakes made 173 before being bowled out in the 45th over.
Tom Harrison took 6-64 for Sports.
In reply, Sports finished day one at 4-44.
“It’s a tough battle for top spot,” said Bryden. “It’s a good challenge in A-grade with five sides pushing.”
Across the board it has been a strong season for Altona Sports so far.
It’s other two-day side is set to finish on top at Christmas while eight of its nine sides are in finals spots currently.
