A dedicated Victorian cricketer has captured the public's admiration after completing an extraordinary 12-hour batting marathon to raise vital funds for mental health charity Beyond Blue.
The Marathon at the Crease
Chirnside Park coach and opening batsman Scott Reece conceived and executed the gruelling challenge, which he dubbed 'Bat the Day Out'. Inspired by the Cancer Council's 'Longest Day' golf event, Reece aimed to create a cricket equivalent. He took to the crease as temperatures soared, starting in a cool 13 degrees at 8 am, rising to 28 degrees by midday, and peaking at a scorching 33.5 degrees Celsius.
To sustain the innings, Reece employed various methods. "The first four hours I was batting with a ball on a string and then from 12pm to 4pm I had a bowling machine," he explained. The mechanical bowler delivered ball after ball, allowing him to face an immense number of deliveries. For the final four overs of his epic day, clubmates and supporters from the local league stepped in to bowl, providing a fitting and communal finish.
Physical Toll for a Vital Cause
The physical impact of the feat was significant, but Reece considers it a worthy trade for the results. "I'm pretty sore, a bit of dehydration and a lot of sunburn on the shoulders and back of the legs," he admitted. His initial fundraising goal was £2500, but encouraged by supporters, he pushed on. The effort has now garnered more than £5000, a sum that will be passed directly to Beyond Blue.
Reece was heartened by the widespread support, noting that people associated with his club, the wider Ringwood District Cricket Association, and even rival players stopped by to offer encouragement. "I had a lot of support, a lot of people stopped by and dropped off little things throughout the day, which was great," he said.
Driving the Mental Health Message
The motivation behind choosing a mental health charity was deeply personal and message-driven. "I'm driving the message that it's OK to reach out," Reece stated emphatically. His action on the pitch serves as a powerful metaphor for endurance and seeking support, key themes in mental wellbeing.
Remarkably, this charitable exertion comes during a strong run of form for Reece in the Newey Plate competition. He is coming off his second half-century of the season and has scored 199 runs at an average of 33.17, placing him just outside the top-10 run-scorers with one match remaining before the Christmas break. His 'Bat the Day Out' initiative has proven he's a champion off the field as well.
