A CENTURY to star batsman Ben Gunn was the highlight performance on Wednesday as Bendigo’s impressive form at Melbourne Country Week continued.
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Bendigo blitzed Bairnsdale with bat and ball to record a commanding 150-run win at Melton.
After three rounds, Bendigo is the only undefeated team and firmly on track for a berth in Friday’s Provincial Group final at the Albert Ground.
Gunn himself outscored Bairnsdale, which was skittled for a meagre 99 in 40 overs after it was sent in by Bendigo.
After the bowlers did the job, Bendigo replied with 6-249 off 60 overs, with Gunn (107) plundering his maiden Melbourne Country Week ton.
“It was another good performance from the boys today,” Bendigo coach Matt Pinniger said.
“Our fielding and bowling was again fantastic, and we ticked another box with one of our top-order batsmen in Gunny getting a hundred.”
Gunn faced 148 balls in scoring his 107, with his innings laced with seven fours and one six.
Bendigo had been 1-5 early in its chase after Brayden Stepien (1) was dismissed cheaply.
But there was no other cause for concern for Bendigo during the innings as Gunn and Cameron Taylor (27 off 99) put on 94 for the second wicket.
The patient Taylor was dismissed with Bendigo one run from victory.
After Gunn and Taylor set the win up, Bendigo put the foot down, with Sam Johnston (37 n.o. off 20), Adam Ward (37 off 63) and Adrian Pappin (19 off 10) helping push the score to 6-249.
Earlier, all five Bendigo bowlers used took a wicket in an even performance - Taylor (3-17), Adam Burns (2-16), Richard Tibbett (2-25), Johnston (1-15) and Ben DeAraugo (1-25).
Bendigo plays Mornington Peninsula at Ormond on Thursday.
• Ladder: Bendigo (3-0, 49.4 pts); Geelong (2-1, 38.3); Sale-Maffra (2-1, 36.2); Traralgon (2-1, 36.0); Murray Valley (2-1, 35.5); Mornington Peninsula (1-2, 25.2); South West (0-3, 10.0); Bairnsdale (0-3, 8.8).