By Nick Creely
Matthew Cox is making a habit out of making monstrous scores in the shortest form of cricket.
The Heinz Southern Districts favourite son – who is now playing his cricket with Tooradin in West Gippsland – returned to the Cobras with an almighty bang, belting an incredible 131 in the opening round of the Dandenong District Twenty20 competition last Wednesday evening.
Returning as a marquee player, Cox – who incredibly made 176 not out in a Twenty20 last year for Tooradin – belted 12 sixes as the Cobras put Lynbrook to the sword.
Coming in at 3/15, Cox combined with former St Kilda football star Stephen Milne (26) for an 85-run partnership, before going absolutely berserk with a foray of sixes flying over the rope at Reedy Recreation Reserve.
The Cobras eventually posted 8/191 off their 20 overs, with Dylan Hayes (3/31) the pick of the bowlers.
The visitors were eventually bundled out for just 57 in the 14th over, with skipper Jay Walia top scoring with 24.
Down at Alex Nelson Reserve, Berwick trumped Springvale South in a last-over thriller.
The Bloods won the toss and had a bat first, where Ateeq Javid (88) and Dandenong champ Brett Forsyth (37) pummeled 87 for the first wicket, before the Bears slowly managed to claw their way back.
While wickets were hard to come by, the Bears tightened things up with ball in hand to restrict the home side to a manageable 3/163.
And the Bears got the job done, racing down the total with four balls to spare and three wickets left in the shed, with in-form opener Jordan Cleland (49) leading the way for the visitors.
In the remaining games, Buckley Ridges (3/105) easily accounted for Hallam Kalora Park (102), with Bucks captain-coach David White (58 not out) once again dominating, Berwick Springs (7/149) got the points over Parkfield (131), Cranbourne (6/143) defeated Dandenong West (142), while North Dandenong (5/146) got its campaign off to a strong start against St Mary’s (5/141).
