JACK Baird marked his return to Curlwaa with a power hitting masterclass at a Glenn Maxwell-like strike rate on Saturday.
The young right-hander smashed 187 runs off 104 balls, a strike rate of 179.8, to lead the Islanders to victory against Tempy in their Red Cliffs Cricket Association B grade clash.
Baird targeted the leg side, and mid wicket in particular, to belt 21 fours and nine sixes in a 252-run partnership with opener Grant McRae (58).
“That was a really special partnership, Grant is a great bloke and an awesome guy to bat with,” Baird said.
“As I started making a few more runs, he was kind enough to give me the strike.”
It was a masterclass for those watching on, including his father Adrian, brother Ned and cousin Thomas who were all part of the team cheering on from the sideline.
“I just moved back to the club,” Baird said. ” I grew up here and it’s a great family club so it’s pretty special to play with the family and do well.
“We’ve been going pretty good I think, we’ve got a lot of young fellas coming up, on the weekend we had four kids under 15 playing so that was special as well.”
The 19-year-old, who works as a farm hand in Hopetoun, said he’d scored two centuries in his career, but Saturday’s performance was certainly his best.
“It was quite a special day all round, my old man, brother, family friends and Grant came back to Hopetoun and we had a barbecue to celebrate,” he said.
Baird came to the wicket at 1/3 and departed at 2/255 as Islanders ended their 35 overs on 2/256 in reply to Tempy’s 9/138.
