Eliah Booth breaks Grey High record with monstrous triple century
Eliah Booth, the outgoing Grey High u14A captain, broke the school’s record for the most runs by a learner at the institution with a sensational, unbeaten triple century to lead his team to a massive 326-run win over Woodridge u14A on the Pyott Field, at Grey, on Saturday.
Booth’s undefeated 305 from only 171 balls in the limited overs contest was the first time in the 169-year history of Grey High that a learner had recorded a triple century.
“Eliah has immense potential,” James Atherton, his coach, told SuperSport Schools Plus.
“We had him batting at number four for the entire first term, barring two games where he opened. It was actually his request to bat at the top of the order as he prefers the pace on the harder ball.”
Woodridge won the toss and asked Grey High to bat first. Booth welcomed the invitation with both hands, and turned it into a spectacular success, blasting 28 fours and 20 sixes in his astounding innings, which powered Grey to an unbelievable 475/3 from their 50 overs, good for a run rate of 9.5 runs per over.
That was far too big of a mountain to climb for Woodridge, who were bowled out for 149 in reply in 23.5 overs.
Booth got Grey High going with an opening stand 82 runs off 65 balls with Mason Groch, who chipped in with 23 runs, but that was merely an appetiser for the fireworks that followed.
That partnership was followed by a stunning 323-run second-wicket partnership between Booth and Jed Thurgood from only 211 deliveries. Thurgood played his part by cracking 105 from only 96 balls, striking 15 fours and a six.
Booth scored his first 100 from 63 balls. Then, his second ton took 69 deliveries before he hit the afterburners, rocketing from 200 to 300 in only 32 balls.
The die was cast before Woodridge’s reply began. They needed one of their top-order batsmen to give them a special start if they were to have a slim chance of making a game of it, but it was not to be. They lost three wickets in the powerplay and never recovered.
Joshua Bailes, with 26, and Phelo Kwitshana, also with 26 were their highest run-scorers, while a lower-order partnership of 21 runs between Kwitshana and Cole Bartlett was their best, which paled in comparison to the humungous stand between Booth and Thurgood.
Booth moves up into the u15 ranks next year, where he hopes to continue his successes. The teenager is a great admirer of former South African captain Faf du Plessis and is a fan of both the Chennai Super Kings and Joburg Super Kings franchises.
Summarised Scorecard
Grey High u14A 475/3 (Eliah Booth 305*, Jed Thurgood 105; Ashlee Buhr 1/82, Joshua Bailes 1/86). Woodridge u14A 149/10 (Phelo Kwitshana 26*, Joshua Bailes 26; Ethan Houlie 3/24, Zach Eckert 2/28). Grey High won by 326 runs.
