Footscray Edgewater’s Dylan Kight takes a ball in a two-dayer against Prahran. 76326 Picture: DAMIEN VISENTINI
By MICHAEL ESPOSITO
Matthew Wade’s call-up to Australia’s Twenty20 team on Wednesday night opened the door for another talented wicketkeeper-batsman, Dylan Kight, to earn his stripes against international opposition.
With Ryan Carters taking Wade’s spot in Victoria’s Sheffield Shield team, Kight was selected to don the gloves in Victoria’s second XI side against Sri Lanka on Wednesday.
The Victorians claimed a remarkable 23-run victory against Sri Lanka, fighting back from 5/38 to make 9/172 and dismissing the visitors for 149.
Kight, a Melton resident, made eight runs and made a stumping.
“I felt good behind the stumps, I kept pretty well. I only got one chance and got a stumping so that’s always nice,” he said.
“It was a pretty big thrill playing against the players you see play on TV every week. At the start of the day it wasn’t really about the result, just have a go and see how we go, but when it got nice and close in the end, when we got the last wicket it was pretty crazy, it was a good feeling.”
Daniel Salpietro (35) and Clive Rose (49 not out) rescued Victoria’s innings from near disaster.
“We would have liked to have made a few more obviously but they bowled pretty well, we were probably lucky to get to 170 in the end.”
Kight was caught in the slips from a Thisara Perera delivery that kicked up with extra bounce.
He hoped to be selected in Victoria’s Futures League side – essentially the same side that took on Sri Lanka – for next week’s four-dayer against WA.
His solid, if not spectacular, knock of 39 for Footscray Edgewater against Prahran in district cricket on Saturday should not do his chances any harm.
“I’m definitely putting name up for the next Futures game. It would be nice to string a few together. I’ve got a few years to consolidate a spot in that team.”
Kight’s form with the bat for Footscray Edgewater has been sensational. He has posted two centuries and is averaging 49.20.
“It’s been awesome this year, it’s clicked I suppose,” he said. “Last season was good and consistent, but I didn’t really make many big scores, just a lot of 40s and 30s.I spoke to a few different people in the pre-season and sort of turned my attention to batting for the whole day instead of being pleased with 30s or 40s.”
