FOR Werribee opening batsman Matthew Dean, his century against Altona on the road at JK Grant Reserve on Saturday was an order “with the lot, thanks”.
The Tiger had to experience a whole gamut of emotions en route to 137 in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association western suburbs derby.
Dean felt the strain of the initial grind where he struggled for runs on a seaming wicket, then the pain of a leg injury sustained around the half-century mark and the eventual freedom of being ordered to play his shots later in the knock. The injury was so distressing his captain and brother Shaun asked if he wanted to retire hurt, bat with a runner or simply go for broke.
Dean chose the latter, batting through the pain, enjoying the chance to free his shoulders.
He produced one of the most memorable innings by a Tiger in recent times within a total of 7-343, which club stalwarts think could be a new first XI record score.
“A lot of the older guys were saying it could be the highest score,” Shaun told the Weekly.
“They can’t remember a bigger score. No one knows for sure.”
Dean’s ton will go down in club folklore for the less than conventional way it was built.
On a deck that favoured the bowlers early, Dean struggled to get out of first gear, poking and prodding his way to 10 off the first 25 overs.
He featured in a 35-run opening stand with veteran David Wolfe, who made 25 of those runs.
“He pretty much played the anchor role at the start,” Shaun said. “It was really tough early.
“Our openers did really well to get through the first 20 overs and it made it easier for everyone else.”
Just when the pitch was starting to flatten out and Dean was finding the gaps came an unwanted distraction in the form of a leg injury.
Dean has grappled with leg/hip injuries during his career and this would be another flare-up.
“I gave him three options,” said Shaun, who had just been run out for 43. “You can retire hurt and we use you later, I can run for you but I just ran myself out, or you can just tee off.
“He said ‘I’ll do that’ and he got better and better from there.”
Dean smashed the ball all over the park.
He used extravagant shots normally reserved for the Big Bash.
“He was taking the mickey at one point,” Shaun said with a chuckle.
“He played some genuine slogs over cover and some late cuts.”
The best part for the Tigers was that it was far from a lone hand.
Dean’s display was complemented by the power-hitting of Wade McCall (45) and the turning over of the strike by Kyle Andrews (34) and Tim O’Brien (27).
“Everyone in the order is making runs,” Shaun said.
“We’ve got a lot of momentum batting as individuals and as a team.”
You won’t find the Tigers sliding into complacency on the second day, even with a mammoth total under their belts.
They know the threat posed by the A’s big three of John Varchione, Aaron Maynard and Lee Elmore, along with new import Josh Wells.
“It’s not going to be a walk in the park,” Shaun said. “We have to be switched on because they’ve got some good players that can worry us.”
Play resumes on Saturday at 1pm.
VSDCA
Firsts: Altona v Werribee 7-343 (MJ Dean 137 W McCall 45 S Dean 43 K Andrews 34 T O’Brien 27 D Wolfe 25).
Seconds: Werribee v Altona 250 (T Foster 4-41).
Thirds: Werribee 99 (R Brady 30) lt Melton 5-102 (D Buchanan 2-19).
Fourths: Werribee 2-223 (Snade 97 Penaluna 73) v Altona 95 (Russell 6-6).
