Ben Manenti and Noah McFayden registered their respective maiden first-class centuries in South Australia’s ongoing Sheffield Shield clash against Victoria at Junction Oval, Melbourne.
Ben Manenti, Noah McFadyen rescue South Australia with maiden FC centuries
The Italian-Australian all-rounder was in the thick of action on the second and third days of the ongoing Sheffield Shield 2026/27 round, putting in a rescue act for South Australia and bringing up his maiden century in first-class cricket.
In response to Victoria's 244, the defending champions were reeling at 165 for 5 when captain Manenti joined Jake Lehmann in the middle. The pair added 98 runs for the sixth wicket before Lehmann was dismissed for 90. Manenti continued his fight, eventually completing his hundred off 112 balls.
He finished on 128, laced with 16 fours and a maximum, and also stitched a 158-run partnership with No.8 Noah McFadyen, who made 134 on his first-class debut to propel the side to 508.
Manenti, who has played 12 T20Is for Italy, including at the men's T20 World Cup earlier this year, had made 12 half-centuries in senior red-ball cricket before eventually crossing the three-figure mark. Predominantly a bowling all-rounder, the 29-year old has been a regular feature in the Big Bash League as well, making 42 appearances for Adelaide Strikers and Sydney Sixers.
23-year-old all-rounder McFadyen had an excellent couple of seasons in Premier cricket for Adelaide and was rewarded with a call-up to the Shield side. Earlier in the match, he took two for 35 with the ball, while Brendan Doggett and Henry Thornton claimed three wickets each.
South Australia are closing in on the victory, having reduced the hosts to 175-7 at the end of day's play, with Nathan McAndrew, Thornton, and Manenti snaring two scalps each.
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