HE had made a strong beginning to his 2019-20 Bathurst Orange Inter District Cricket campaign without converting one of his promising starts but that all changed for Bathurst City's Mark Day on Saturday.
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Day notched his maiden first grade century in the weekend's match against Centennials at the Sportsground, his 124 accounting for more than half of the Redbacks' 243 total.
Day arrived at the crease with his team in an uncertain position at 3-45, an innings very much capable of heading either north of south.
He began to send it in a positive direction, assisted by a big hitting knock from Ben Orme (36).
Day began to up the tempo later into the innings, especially during his ninth wicket stand of 58 alongside Harrison Craig (13 not out).
By the time Tom Loader removed the Redbacks centurion with the first ball of his spell Day had amassed 23 boundaries.
"It felt awesome. I've been working hard for this so just really stoked that the hard work I put in in the off season is paying off," Day said.
"It was a pretty typical Sportsground deck, slow and low. I had to really work hard to get in, I got a few loose balls early which helped then after that I felt pretty good, and just kept waiting for my ball."
The dismissal of openers Joey Coughlan (25) and Rory Daburger (1) brought Day to the crease alongside John Rudge (10).
He stayed out in the middle until he took the total to 9-229.
The signs of a big score being on the horizon for Day were evident.
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Day started the season with a 41 in the Bonnor Cup and followed that up with scores of 40 and 43 in his opening two BOIDC rounds.
He progressed past the forties in a big way on Saturday, taking control of the innings almost as soon as he arrived at the crease.
"I've not really been doing too much differently, I've just worked really hard on a few things during the off season and it seems to be clicking," Day said.
"I feel a lot more confident in my game."
Redbacks added to their great innings by picking up the wicket of Centennials' Josh Toole (0) before stumps.
The Aubin brothers, Kyle and Blake, will be at the crease when play resumes on Saturday.
"We are pretty happy with 240, especially after being 4-50 odd," Day said.
"Having them one down going to next week is a bonus too. They have a few good sticks in the sheds but if we can get the Aubin boys out early next week I think we will be in with a good shout."
Tyler Horton was the pick of the Centennials bowlers with figures of 4-75.