AFTER showing last week against Blayney what he is capable of in the shortest form of the game, blasting 93 not out, Cavaliers all-rounder Stu Middleton notched up the first Royal Hotel Cup Twenty20 century on Friday night against CYMS.
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Not bad from someone who wasn’t meant to be playing.
Middleton had originally planned to attend a friend’s bucks party, but decided to delay his travel to play in Friday night’s semi-final.
Middleton pummelled 127 on Friday night, from just 74 balls, including nine fours and nine sixes, equating to 90 runs in boundaries.
Middleton brought up his ton in just the 15th over, from exactly 50 balls.
He took Chris Novak (0-55) for 11 off the first over the game, signalling a long night in the field for the green and golds.
With opening partner Josh Doherty, Middleton took the score to 99, in just the eighth over, before Doherty was dismissed for 25.
James Ryan (37) joined Middleton at the crease, and the pair proceeded to add 93 for the second wicket. Middleton was finally caught, off Nick Garton’s bowling, in the last over of the innings.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone hit the ball like that, he toyed with us. No matter where the field was, or what bowlers were on, he just hit it to where they weren’t. It was incredible"
Garton was the pick of the CYMS bowlers, finishing with 2-23, while Al Dhatt (0-45), Sam Dwyer (0-39) Todd Murphy (1-22) and Pat Madden (0-24) all felt the full force on Middleton’s onslaught.
“It just progressed from last week against Blayney I guess,” Middleton said.
“I hit it pretty well, they were in my slot and disappeared over the boundary. The ton had been a long time coming, it’s been two or three seasons. It’s a bit surprising it came in the shortest form of the game though.
“The other guys did well too, Joshy played his role at the top and Jimmy batted well. It’s always good to get yourself into a final, but you never know what can happen in T20.”
CYMS skipper Hugh Le Lievre said the innings was “special to watch.”
“I wouldn’t even call the loss disappointing,” he said.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone hit the ball like that, he toyed with us. No matter where the field was, or what bowlers were on, he just hit it to where they weren’t. It was incredible.
“Full credit to Cavs, they brought their A-game. I was proud of the way our boys stuck in, getting to 150-odd in reply was a good effort and would win you most T20 games.”
Cavs will take on the winner of this Friday’s semi-final between Orange City and Molong, in the Royal Hotel Cup deicder on Febraury 21.
