Cricket: Teen scores century in camp finale

ELATED OPENER: Jacob Murdoch thanks the crowd for their support after scoring his century yesterday. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

A desire to bat for time inspired Hawke's Bay cricketer Jacob Murdoch to score 153 not out yesterday.

"We were in trouble early so I thought I would have to bat through the whole 50 overs so we would get a decent total," opening batsman Murdoch said as he reflected on his contribution to his Cornwall team's 280 run victory against Rotorua on the No 1 pitch at Cornwall Park.

After having the bye the previous day it was Cornwall's first match in the Year 9 and 10 division of the annual Riverbend Camp tournament which has 13 teams in action and continues until Thursday. Cornwall scored 323 off 50 overs before getting Rotorua out for 43 after 22 overs.

A year 10 student at Hastings Boys' High School who has been playing cricket for eight years, Murdoch, 15, faced 130 deliveries and his tally included 25 fours.

"I didn't get any sixes. We will have smaller boundaries at Frimley Park tomorrow so hopefully I can hit some sixes there," Murdoch said as he pondered his team's match against Counties-Manukau's Piako Knights in Hastings today.

A Hastings Boys' High School 1st XI player, Murdoch is hoping to make the Hawke's Bay under-17 team next summer. He has yet to make a Hawke's Bay rep team in his career but if he continues to produce displays like yesterday's Murdoch shouldn't have to wait much longer.

"This 153 is the highlight of my career. My previous best was a 128 not out when I was playing for the Hastings Boys' High School Colts. I can't remember my previous best at a Riverbend Camp game but I know it's nothing like today's ... this is my last and fifth Riverbend so it's a good performance to have," Murdoch added.

His long-term goal is to play first class cricket and he also hopes to study engineering at Canterbury University.

Others to bat well for the Cornwall team which is coached by former Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby team first five-eighth Ross McLeod were Mitchell McLeod and Avjind Hayer who scored 72 and 48 respectively.

Coach McLeod was anticipating a tough encounter against the Knights today.