Above: In-form Dandenong run-machine Warren Ayres practises his batting at training on Tuesday night.By Glen Atwell
WARREN Ayres scored his third consecutive Premier League century in a supreme innings to guide the Dandenong Panthers to victory against Ringwood in their country round one-day match in Wonthaggi.
Ayres blasted 139 from 101 balls to record his 40th century in District/Premier League cricket.
After Dandenong captain Tim Hooper won the toss and elected to bat, Panthers opener Kumar Sana (7) was dismissed early before Ayres joined Matthew Chasemore (84) to smash the Ringwood bowlers and wow the spectators with 13 fours and six sixes.
Sean Flynn eventually caught Ayres off his own bowling, but it was too late – the damage had been done.
Chasing 269, Ringwood never posed a serious threat to Dandenong’s mammoth total as falling wickets prevented any serious partnerships.
Tom Stray scored 36 for Ringwood, while Dandenong bowlers Darren Pattinson and Chasemore collected two wickets each.
Ringwood was all out for 188, 81 runs short of victory.
With Ayres back in sizzling form, the Panthers sit in equal fourth on 30 points.
Ayres said he had notched up three consecutive tonnes before.
“I don’t think it’s the first time, it takes a bit of luck, though,” he said.
This Saturday will be season-defining for the Panthers, who travel to Geelong to take on the third-placed side in a one-day match.
The match will decide whether or not the Panthers are serious finals contenders.
Young gun Sana will be looking to find some immediate form and if Ayres can make his way to a half-century, a fourth consecutive tonne should follow.
Chasemore has kept the scorers busy and Pattinson has continued troubling the opposition batsmen with the ball.
