Blu hits school batting record for six
His knock helped the first team to a record 435 runs in their allotted 50 overs.
After spending almost five hours at the crease, Kingsway High School pupil, Blu Belluigi knocked the school record for a six when he scored 248 not out against Reddam House on Saturday, 4 February.
His knock helped the first team to a record 435 runs in their allotted 50 overs at home. In reply, Reddam was bowled out for 173 runs.
Surprisingly, this was Blu’s maiden hundred – his previous best was 95 not out. As the first team’s opening batsman, he was on the field for the full 50 overs.
“It was intense,” said the 16-year-old describing his mammoth innings. “By the 43rd over, my head was pumping so badly, I had to take my helmet off.
The feeling was amazing. It was just my day – I was seeing the ball so well. I was feeling it so well off the bat in the week leading up to the game. I felt a good score was coming, but not that good.”
Blu confessed he wasn’t too upset to miss out on 250. “My partner Keegan Wood tried to get me on strike for the last ball, so that I could make it but it didn’t work out. Joshua Henwood helped me a lot to get to my 100.” Joshua went on to make 58.
“After my 100, I was more relaxed as my goal was to get my maiden century, and I started to enjoy myself and I just played smart.”
Blu’s innings was a reflection of his talent and not poor bowling from the Reddam bowlers. Besides their opening pair bowling too short, the rest of their bowlers were on the mark.
His talent is a result of strong cricket genes, and top coaching. He and the Kingsway first team are coached by his father, cricket legend Steve Belluigi.
“It’s not any different being coached by my dad,” said the grade 11 pupil. “He treats me like all my teammates. Sometimes he’s harder on me.”
Blu was full of praise for his teammates, who have played together since junior school, and are all friends.
Besides cricket, he also plays waterpolo, hockey, soft ball and athletics.
The wicketkeeper batsman is adamant his new school record will be broken. “My aim is to break it by the end of matric,” he vowed.
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