As Richie Benaud said “what do you do when you have played the greatest innings of your life at the age of 25?”
Those words were spoken after Kevin Pietersen scored 158 against Australia in the last match of the 2005 Ashes.
Similar thoughts might have been felt by Sale-Maffra opening batsman Zac Hurley, after he stroked his way to a century during Country Week on Tuesday.
While Hurley might be a few years younger than 25, a century in the top-grade against some of the best bowlers in Country Victoria would carry as much significance for a local cricketer as it would a Test player.
Sale-Maffra came into the Day 2 match against Bendigo, fresh off defeating Bairnsdale to open their 2023 campaign.
The Sharks successfully chased the 200 needed for victory over their Gippsland counterparts, thanks to the efforts of Jack Tatterson, who top-scored with an unbeaten 77, helped by Ben Jones, who made 30 off 19 balls.
Earlier on, Jack Rietschel led the way with the ball, taking 3/34.
Others to chip in with wickets were Brad Scott (2/8), Tatterson (2/27), and captain Dylan Bolton (2/38).
Sale-Maffra then made it back-to-back wins, defeating Bendigo the next day.
Hurley’s heroics led the way, as he scored 104 off 130 balls.
Any parasailers nearby might have been in danger, as Hurley sent four balls into the sky and over the rope at Brighton Beach Oval.
Hurley combined with Collegians teammate Tom Morrison in a 150-run opening partnership.
Morrison made 69, while Tatterson was again among the runs, scoring 53 to see the Sharks to a total of 8/269.
In reply, an inferior Bendigo was dismissed for 218.
Rietschel again enjoyed his time with ball in hand, taking 4/31. Others to chip in were Bolton (2/51) and Steve Spoljaric (2/23).
Sale-Maffra came undone on Day 3 against Mornington-Peninsula.
The Sharks decided to bowl first, and were given 272 to chase.
Tatterson took the most wickets, nabbing 3/43.
Sale-Maffra slumped to 3/12 in reply, and despite a rescue effort from Scott and Jones, who put on 73 for the seventh wicket, the Sharks never really recovered from the early carnage.
For their efforts, Scott’s 66 and Jones’ 54 were commendable in the circumstances.
With that result, Sale-Maffra’s chances of making the final (to be played today) were effectively shot.
The Sharks were a point off top spot on the ladder before yesterday’s final pool match.
Sale-Maffra played Traralgon yesterday, the result of which was not known at time of press.
Given first-placed Mornington played second-placed Bendigo yesterday as well, it meant the Sharks (behind both by one point), would have needed the weather Gods to perform a miracle.
Gippsland was well-represented at Country Week this year, with five of the six associations from Region 7 competition in the top-flight Provincial grade.
Sale-Maffra was joined by Traralgon, Bairnsdale, Leongatha and Latrobe Valley.
Unfortunately, Warragul did not send a team down.
Traralgon and Leongatha each enjoyed wins.
Bairnsdale had not won a game at time of going to press, while humiliatingly, not even this paper’s printing deadline could save Latrobe Valley – whose week ended yesterday morning after getting bowled out for 34 against Leongatha.
Latrobe Valley took a severely undermanned squad down to Melbourne, with unfortunate skipper Aydan Connolly hopelessly up against it at just 19-years-of-age.
It would not be too much of a stretch to say Connolly’s home club Trafalgar’s A Grade team would beat the Latrobe Valley Country Week side.
