Melton Centrals’ Adam Hulett made history on Saturday when he stepped on to the park for his 200th senior game.
The current captain-coach of the first XI is the first player in the club’s history to play 200 senior games.
For Hulett, it was just another game – but the club made sure the moment was enjoyed.
The club surprised Hulett with a function after the game, with several past players attending the event in his honour.
“It’s just another game for me, but it’s a good milestone to get,” he said.
“It was good to see some old faces down there. There’s a few others who are close to the milestone – I just happened to get there first.”
Hulett, who joined the club when he was about nine or 10, had opportunities to go elsewhere during his career, but decided he wanted to stay and play with his friends.
For now, Hulett is focused on adding another senior premiership flag to the cabinet.
Centrals sit on top of the Victorian Turf Cricket Association west A1 ladder with one and half rounds remaining.
The players were itching to get on the park on Saturday, after their previous opponent, County West, forfeited, meaning they hadn’t played for two weeks.
Playing at home, Centrals restricted Gellibrand to 178, bowling them out in the last over. Hulett said Centrals would have to play well to get the runs.
“We were in the field all day so there was a few sore bodies after not playing the last two weeks,” he said. “It was a pretty good day. It’s a big ground, but it plays quick.
“We’ve got plenty of batting depth to hopefully get us over the line.”
It’s not just results that are important in the last two rounds – runs and wickets are, too.
Less then 10 points separates Centrals and fifth-placed Williamstown Imperials. A loss can see a side slip a number of positions in one round.
“We’re not getting ahead of ourselves,” Hulett said. “It we drop a game between now and finals, we not only lose a home final but could drop out of the top four.
“Obviously, it would be good to finish on top of the ladder, but the aim is still to finish top two and get a home final.”
In other matches, wickets were the order of the day for Melton South Primary School Cricket Club and Bellbridge.
The Royals were bowled out for 144, with Bellbridge to resume on 4-33.
