FOLLOWING an impressive start to the Sydney grade 2017/18 competition, Shoalhaven’s Kaleb Phillips was rewarded with his first grade debut, with St George, at the weekend.
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Phillips, a student at Nowra High School, made his first appearance for the Saints in round five, when their third grade side battled Sydney on November 11 and 18.
But despite him scoring 77 not out, off 116 balls, St George lost on first innings at Harold Fraser Reserve.
So impressive was this performance though, Phillips was then promoted to second grade the very next round.
Phillips again scored a half-century, managing 54 runs in a losing effort against Bankstown at Hurstsville Oval.
This was the first of four straight appearances for Phillips in second grade – with the next three being one-day matches.
On December 9, despite his 55 runs at Tunks Park, his Saints would lose to North Sydney.
But the next week, he scored the exact same score against Parramatta at Hurstville Oval – this time though, the result was reversed, with St George securing the win.
Phillips, 17, then started the new year off with a bang, recording his maiden century in Sydney grade cricket.
His knock of 107 not out, from 142 balls – an innings which included nine boundaries and five sixes, was not enough to see the Saints home against Sydney University at Hurstville Oval.
But on the back of these five half-centuries, which also included a 50 in the Poidevin-Gray Shield, and a ton, Phillips got the call-up to make his first grade debut for the club.
Unfortunately, Phillips could only manage 10 runs, off 18 balls, in his debut against Penrith – a game St George went on to win at Hurstville Oval.
That leaves Phillips with 408 Sydney grade runs this season, at an impressive average of 81.6.
“I’m loving my experience at St George,” Phillips said.
“First grade is tough – I didn’t think I would be ready for it at my age.
“But the club did a good job of easing me into the role, which helped a lot.
“All I can do now is take it one game at a time.”
During those seven matches, Phillips has also bowled 59.4 overs while claiming four wickets at an economy of 4.2.
He also has four catches to his name this season.
The former North Nowra-Cambewarra product will next line-up for the Saints this Saturday, when they take on Eastern Suburbs at Waverley Oval in a two-day match.