By David Nagel
A huge season for the Devon Meadows Cricket Club got even bigger on Saturday with a multitude of milestones leaving statisticians scratching their heads.
The Panthers had a great weekend as a club, with all five teams claiming victory in their respective competitions in the Casey Cardinia Cricket Association (CCCA).
It’s the second time the Panthers have completed the clean-sweep this season, with four of their five teams – District, B Grade, F Grade and One-Day – all sitting comfortably at the top of the ladder.
Those lofty ladder positions have been born from a remarkable run of individual success, with eight Panther’s players having made spectacular centuries this season.
Four players made tons on the weekend.
District opener Lucas Ligt had already made his way to triple figures on three occasions this season, but drove home a fourth with 105 not out against Upper Beaconsfield.
Ligt has scores of 148 (Gembrook), 119 not out (Pakenham Upper Toomuc) and 111 not out (Cranbourne Meadows) with his club-record fourth century of the season taking his tally to 642 runs at the ‘Bradmanesque’ average of 91.71.
In B Grade, Lachie O’Beirne (111 not out) celebrated two career firsts, just 17 overs apart.
O’Beirne was thrilled to bring up his first-ever half century in the 34th over of the Panthers innings against Upper Beaconsfield, and then was doubly delighted to reach triple figures in the 51st over.
And the Panthers century-making spree continued in F Grade in round 12 as well.
Jason Brzezowski (102) chalked up his third century for the club on day one of the match against Kooweerup last week, while veteran Peter O’Brien entered day two on 67 not out, just 33 runs away from his maiden century.
After 36 years of playing cricket at Devon Meadows, life member O’Brien finally made it to triple figures (102) for his first taste of the best feeling in cricket.
Peter’s brother Darren holds the club record for runs and centuries at Devon Meadows and gave his brother a simple message.
“About time.”
Individual career milestones were also prominent for the Panthers in round 12, with Peter Zauner scoring his 5000th run for the club, Luke Howard his 3000th and Shane Fisher chalking up run number 1000.
The fun doesn’t stop there for Devon Meadows, with Lee Thomas and Rob Worsteling lining up for their 150th games this week.
