Khan’s 97 highlights Hannans’ latest victory

Hannans’ quest for an A-grade flag in the club’s centenary season is on track after Aarib Khan’s sublime batting on Saturday led a 49-run victory over North Kalgoorlie in the Eastern Goldfields Cricket Association.

Khan fell agonisingly short of a richly deserved century for the second time this season, but his 97 was pivotal in Hannans’ 189 after they earlier slumped to 5-69.

It was an impressive knock underpinned by nine fours and two sixes as Khan — in just his sixth game — stamps himself among the EGCA’s most consistent batters.

Khan faced 129 deliveries and with James Alexander featured in a match-wining stand worth 69 runs.

The bulk of those runs were scored by Khan, but Alexander played an important role — defying Norths’ attack for 48 deliveries while scoring 18.

Alexander was the sixth man out before UK recruit Harry Merritt-Blann turned in a similar knock from No.9 that yielded an unbeaten 17 off 14 balls.

It was underpinned by two sixes as Blake Willis led Norths’ attack with 3-37, and Matt Smart and Michael Noble finished with 2-25 and 2-13, respectively.

Norths in reply struggled to 2-26 when Harrison Wheatcroft grabbed the key scalps of openers Fletcher Edwards (1) and Harris Carnegie (8).

First drop Noble and No.4 batter Nick Willis put on 40 — Noble top-scoring with 58 off 85 balls, with eight fours.

Willis made 18, but Norths promptly lost 2-7 and then 5-12 as they struggled against an attack spearheaded by George Hannington-Hodge and Graham Kennedy — each with three wickets.

Norths were dismissed in 35.5 overs for 140.

Heading into this Saturday’s last round before the Christmas break, Hannans lead the standings with four wins — a game clear of both Great Boulder and Lake View.

Hannans’ bright start to 2024-25 has been led by Kennedy and Khan, who are averaging 53.60 and 51.00, respectively, with the bat.

Similarly, Merritt-Blann leads all EGCA bowlers with 14 wickets at 14.86 from Kennedy, who has 13 scalps at 9.00.

Wheatcroft is sixth on that list with 10 wickets at 20.80.

Norths have launched their premiership defence with two wins.