A SPECTACULAR century from ACT/NSW Country opening batsman Matthew Gilkes, an Ulladulla United product, dominated the second day of a three-day Futures League trial match against NSW Metro at Blacktown International Sports Park number two.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Gilkes hammered 100 not out from just 115 balls with 13 fours and three sixes in a second innings score of 8/174 declared as ACT/NSW Country, which also features Ulladulla United junior Tom Engelbrecht, set up a commanding lead.
By stumps on day two NSW Metro was 1/14, still needing a further 323 for a most unlikely victory on a deteriorating wicket.
Gilkes, 20, a former Basil Sellers Scholar, ignored the slow, low and unpredictable conditions as batsmen from both sides struggled.
The next top score was number 10, Joe Kershaw, with 14.
Earlier NSW Metro resumed in its first innings at 2-9, still 294 behind, and slumped to 7/76 before some rearguard batting by Axel Cahlin (34) and Dan Fallins (31) dragged their side to 141.
The pick of the bowlers was Sydney Thunder seamer Nathan McAndrew, who claimed the first three wickets to finish with 3/26.
Greg West also took three wickets.
NSW Metro suffered another blow just before stumps when opening batsman and NSW Blues rookie Ryan Hackney was bowled by Ben Taylor for eight.
In their first innings, ACT/NSW Country declared at 9/303, with Gilkes scoring 15 and Engelbrecht 47.