Sarna’s ton crushes Hawks

– Glen Atwell
A RUN-a-ball century by Dandenong young gun Kumar Sarna steered the Panthers to an 80-run country round Victorian Premier Cricket victory against Hawthorn-Monash Uni at Shepparton on Saturday.
After Dandenong coach Warren Ayres won yet another coin toss and batted, Hawthorn bowler Steve Spoljaric ripped through Dandenong’s top order, taking 3/11 in a scintillating seven-over spell.
Struggling at 4/56, Sarna made his mark and salvaged the side, scoring 148 off just 147 deliveries.
His spectacular innings wowed onlookers at Deakin Reserve and included 17 fours and five sixes.
Good support from the experienced Tim Hooper (64) allowed Sarna to bat with confidence and the pair added 153 for the fifth wicket.
Spoljaric’s final bowling figures of 4/52 from 10 overs could have been better, had he not been smashed for 41 from his final three.
In reply to Dandenong’s 9/282, the Hawks were all out for 202.
Hawthorn captain Simon Dart was dominant, scoring 121 to notch up his 12th premier cricket century, but found little support from his teammates.
Seven of the Hawthorn batsmen failed to reach double figures.
Darren Pattinson did the bulk of the damage with the ball, taking 3/37 from his 10-over spell.
Paul Siddle and Peter Boraston both claimed two wickets each.
Dandenong return to the south-east suburbs this weekend for a one-day local derby against Casey-South Melbourne at Casey Fields in Cranbourne.