James Murphy
AS a young cricketer there are usually two prominent dreams – play for your country and make a century.
North Sportsman’s Elliott Fisher achieved one of those feats on Saturday afternoon and he did it in impressive fashion when scoring 191 runs against the Demons.
It was the final minor round of the Barber Shield season and North had its South Gambier opposition on the ropes heading into Day 2.
Fisher entered the day with an overnight score of 27 and padded up alongside Nick McInerney to resume the innings.
The 21-year-old all-rounder spoke to The Border Watch this week and said the magnitude of his achievement was still sinking in.
“We had to go out and field (afterwards) so it probably didn’t really kick in until I got home that I had made that many runs,” he said.
The day was not without its drama and 90 runs into his innings Fisher broke his bat.
That required a lend from McInerney following his dismissal, adding another element to the performance.
“It was (tricky to adjust to), but it was also a very good bat,” Fisher remarked.
Previously Fisher’s best score was 97 runs, making Saturday’s efforts not only his first century but an impressive top up of almost 100 runs to his personal best.
Fisher faced 187 balls over the two days and showed he was not afraid to have a crack.
His innings consisted of 15 fours and nine sixes with a strike rate of 102.13.
“I was hitting them alright I suppose,” Fisher said.
Despite finding the boundary on 24 occasions, Fisher said there was only really one chance in the field to dismiss him.
“There was one chance, but it was on the boundary and it went for six anyways – that was sort of the only chance I gave the whole time,” he said.
South tried various tactics to remove Fisher from the game, with nine bowlers trying their luck across the innings.
However, Fisher said the toughest opponents were openers Robbie Drenthen and Jakob Opie.
“Early on the opening bowlers in Robbie Drenthen and Jakob Opie (were hardest to face),” Fisher said.
“It was tough at the start, especially batting the week before and trying to be not out at the end of the day.
“Then obviously the wicket got even better the next week.
“It is a good wicket to bat on, so it was really hard for the bowlers to get wickets.”
Ultimately it was Drenthen who finally put an end to Fisher’s dream run, clean bowling him for 191 with North’s total at an impressive 401.
They went on to declare at 9/422 before sending the Demons back in for the remaining 32 overs.
The Tigers will now gear up for a semi-final clash with East Gambier.
Fisher is happy to be carrying form into the match, which promises to be a tough outing.
“You want to be finding form at the end of the year, so it was a good chance to make a few runs and get myself ready for finals,” he said.
