Ryan Carters of the Blues celebrates scoring his century during day two of the Sheffield Shield match against Queensland. Photo: Matt King
RYAN CARTERS has credited his closer ties with Canberra as a key factor in helping him break through for his maiden first-class century.
The 23-year-old passed three figures for the first time in his career with a sensational 154 for NSW in their Sheffield Shield match against Queensland at the SCG on Saturday.
Carters helped NSW to 9(dec)-397 before forgotten Test paceman Doug Bollinger gave national selectors a timely reminder with three wickets to leave Queensland reeling at 3-53 at stumps.
ACT product Carters is on a rookie contract in his first season with the Blues after spending three summers with Victoria.
Moving to Sydney has allowed Carters to undergo more individual coaching with his Canberra-based batting coach Simon Cusden, and also to conduct coaching sessions with junior players as part of MyCoach Cricket.
''I've reconnected with cricket in Canberra a bit and that's really putting things into perspective,'' Carters said.
''It's keeping me enjoying the game and playing for the love of it, which is the key to good performances. I've done some one-on-one coaching sessions with Simon which have been really beneficial.''
Carters is averaging over 85 with the bat in his three games with NSW this summer.
He made 94 in the tour match with England, and brought up his ton on Saturday with a glance to square leg off spinner Nathan Hauritz.
''I didn't want to be the guy who got out in the 90s two matches in a row before making his first, first-class hundred,'' Carters said.
''It's something I've aspired to achieve for a number of years now, to get that first century on the board feels wonderful.
''To go on and make 150 is extra great.''
Carters eventually fell to Hauritz leg before wicket attempting a sweep shot, but not before putting NSW in control.
He paced his innings beautifully, getting through the new ball on Friday before taking advantage of a flat deck to accelerate the run rate.
''Carts batted so well, he took his time and faced as many balls as he could,'' Bollinger said.
''That's the art of batting first.
''On a wicket like that he didn't get worried about any sideways movement.''
Bollinger (3-26) knocked over Queensland's top order of Greg Moller (0, lbw), Nathan Reardon (3, bowled) and Usman Khawaja (10, caught behind) as Queensland finished at 3-53 in reply to NSW's first innings total. with AAP
No comments:
Post a Comment