Sydney University top order batsman Scott Henry will make his Sheffield Shield debut for NSW tomorrow when the Blues take on Victoria at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Henry, a Sydney University Elite Athlete Program (EAP) scholarship holder, earned his first cap for the Blues after a stellar 2010-11 season in the Sydney Grade competition and a run-laden start to the 2011-12 season.
The 21-year-old, who is studying sports management at the Australian College of Physical Education, posted 916 runs at 43.6 last season and was man-of-the-match in Sydney University’s win in the one-day final and again in the two-day final, when he cracked 132 to help the Student secure the Belvidere Cup.
The left-hander started the 2011-12 season with 107 in the first round against Gordon and then cracked 62 and 61 in NSW Second XI’s win over Victoria last week at Hurstville Oval.
Sydney University Cricket Club coach Gary Whitaker said Henry has reaped the benefits of hard work.
“He showed last season what a promising young player he was and that he was ready to step up to the next level,” he said. “Scott has worked hard on his game and it has paid off.
“We have plenty of young players coming through the program at Sydney University. They work hard academically and on the field and enjoy the great environment the university provides.”
Meanwhile, it didn’t take long for stalwart Greg Mail to let his bat do the talking this season. After taking a bagful of wickets in the opening two rounds of the 2011-12 Sydney Grade season, Mail cracked 131 in the round three clash with Blacktown at Joe McAleer Oval on Saturday as Sydney University posted 328 in their first innings. Blacktown were 0-7 at stumps on day one.
The Students are also in strong positions in Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth grades after day one of the two-day round. The highlight of the lower grades came from Kevin Desai, who posted 137 before retiring hurt in Sydney University’s 8(dec)-288 at Whalan No.2 Oval. The declaration proved fortuitous for Sydney University, with Blacktown 3-11 at stumps.
Scott Henry also starred in the first round of the Twenty20 competition, played at Coogee Oval on Sunday, cracking 48 off 21 balls as Sydney University posted 5-174 in reply to Randwick-Petersham’s 6-173.
Nick Larkin (49 off 30 balls) and David Miller (26 off 15) also wielded prodigious willows as the Students chased down the target with an over to spare.
Larkin’s (another Sydney University Elite Athlete Program (EAP) scholarship holder) near half century innings was timely, given his selection in the NSW Futures Team. Larkin’s selection, his second, means that he is now unavailable to captain a Sydney Grade XI against a Shires XI.
Sydney University’s Poidevin-Gray side also accounted for Randwick-Petersham in a Twenty20 match at the same venue.
The Under 21s rattled up 4-109 off 18.1 overs in reply to the Randy-Pete’s 9-108. Justin Younes (39 off 35), Robert Edwards (29 off 33) and Jack Hill (15 off 18) were the main contributors with the bat.
Scoreboard
Sydney Men’s Grade competition – Round 3 (Two-day matches)
First Grade: Sydney University 328 (Greg Mail 131, Mark Faraday 73; Daya Singh 3-73, Corey Colleymore 2-43, Tony Clark 2-48, Matthew Foster 2-50) v Blacktown 0-7, stumps, day one at Joe McAleer Oval. Toss: Sydney University. Batted first: Sydney University.
Second Grade: Sydney University 8-270 (Will Hay 85, Liam Robertson 48, Josh Toyer 37; Joshua Bridges 3-65, Jagveer Panesar 2-10), stumps, day one at Jim Hanshaw Oval. Toss: Sydney University. Batted first: Sydney University.
Third Grade: Sydney University 6-340 (Charles Arcus 82, Matthew Gregory 77, Robert Edwards 52, Jack Hill 51 not out; Joseph Audet 2-92) v Blacktown, stumps, day one at Sydney University No.2 Oval. Toss: Sydney University. Batted first: Sydney University.
Fourth Grade: Sydney University 8(dec)-288 (Kevin Desai 137 retired, Ed Arnott 57, Henry Clark 33; Jack Michie 2-66) v Blacktown 3-11, stumps, day one at Whalan No.2 Oval. Toss: Sydney University. Batted first: Sydney University.
Fifth Grade: Blacktown 9-244 (George Joseph 68 not out, Luke Polglase 48; Callan Roberts 3-30), stumps, day one at St Paul’s College Oval. Toss: Blacktown. Batted first: Blacktown.
Sydney Men’s Twenty20 competition, Round 1
First Grade: Sydney University 5-174 off 19 overs (Nick Larkin 49 off 30 balls; Scott Henry 48 off 21, David Miller 26 off 15) d Randwick-Petersham 6-173 off 20 overs at Coogee Oval. Toss: Randwick-Petersham. Batted first: Randwick-Petersham. Points: Sydney University 4, Randwick-Petersham 0.
Poidevin-Gray Shield (Under 21) – Round 1
Sydney University 4-109 off 18.1 overs (Justin Younes 39 off 35, Robert Edwards 29 off 33, Jack Hill 15 off 18) d Randwick-Petersham 9-108 off 20 overs (Mitchell 39 not out off 25, Brandon McLean 17 off 16) at Coogee Oval. Toss: Sydney University. Batted first: Randwick-Petersham. Points: Sydney University 4, Randwick-Petersham 0.
Sydney Women’s Grade competition – (Twenty20) Round 3
First Grade: Universities bye.
Third Grade: Universities 4-131 (Alex Vaughan 30 retired, Charlotte Mizzi 30 retired, Felicity Goodwin 30 retired; Karen Hoad 1-12) d Campbeltown-Camden 6-125 (Renee Gloss 28, Karen Hoad 25; Sara Mooney 3-16, Charlotte Mizzi 1-8) at Raby Oval. Toss: Universities. Batted first: Universities. Points: Universities 6, Campbelltown-Camden 0.
Brewer Shield (Under 17) – (Twenty20) Round 3
Campbelltown-Camden 5-113 (Alice O’Rourke 30 retired, Jessica Norris 30 retired; Rachel Li 1- 5) d Universities 4-92 (Rachel Li 30 retired, Grace Puckett 30 retired; Katherine Harris 1-2) at Sydney University No.2 Oval. Toss: Campbelltown-Camden. Batted first: Campbelltown-Camden. Points: Campbelltown-Camden 6, Universities 0.
