ACCOUNTANT Harjot Singh never counted his runs when batting for Hallam, but had his mental abacus on in the countdown to an unbeaten double hundred against Endeavour Hills.

The 23-year-old C grade Indian-born opener smashed a career high, club record 237 not out when he was dropped from A grade after a lean trot with the bat.

‘‘It was one of those days that from ball one you felt good and everything came out of the middle. It was a relief getting the first hundred because I knew that I was back in form and had done my job for the team,’’ he said.

‘‘Reaching 150 was massive, and when I was told during ,ma drinks break that I was 185 , I started counting my runs, which I never do. I got a four to take me to 199, and a then single to reach 200.

‘‘There were so many things that went through my mind and it wasn’t until I got back to the clubrooms that it hit me. There had been seasons in the past where I hadn’t scored 200 runs in a season.’’

Singh, who is also treasurer of the club, survived a tough caught and bowled chance on 60, and was dropped at mid-wicket at 210. He was born in India, so it comes as no surprise that his hero is Indian master batsman Sachin Tendulkar.

Junior winner

UNABLE to bowl because of back soreness, North Dandenong’s Clayton McCartney donned the wicketkeeping gloves and then proceeded to take what is believed to be a club record six dismissals.

McCartney took two catches, three stumpings and a run out in the Northerners’ under 15-1 game against Hallam, which was e shot out for 66 in 22.4 overs.

Batting at No4, McCartney top scored with 25 not out and was on track to pass his season high score of 60 in the Northerners’ total of 3-50 from the 20 overs before stumps.

McCartney, who is an all-rounder of the future, has scored 328 runs at an average of 65.1, taken 12 wickets at an average of 13.7, and proved to be a more than capable keeper with his six dismissals.

North has recognised the youngster’s all-round ability, and as a player of the future, by playing him the senior A grade and turf 3 teams. He has played four games in A grade with a top score of 84, and in turf 4 batting lower down the order and on a different surface, has a top score of 19.