Like everyone in the cricketing world, last week was an incredibly difficult week for 16-year-old Ethan Wood.
It took an immense amount of bravery and strength from Wood, who is a close friend of the Austin family, to take to the crease for Devon Meadows on Saturday.
But not only did he decide to pad up and hold the bat, he produced an innings that he will never forget.
Wood batted out the entire innings, bringing up 113 not out, willing the Panthers to victory over Officer on a day of emotion, toughness and reflection.
The knock was not just his maiden Premier ton, it was also his maiden Premier half-ton.
It was truly a moment that honoured his great mate Ben.
The magnitude of the performance was felt around those at Devon Meadows, including captain Lucas Ligt.
“It’s very special, stuff like that is why you love playing cricket,” Ligt said of Wood’s innings.
“The more I thought about it, it was more special than anything.
“I got emotional after the game talking to the team.
“That’s what you play for.
“To be 16 in a game that’s so important and have a week like that and be able to really hold your bat and grind out 245 balls to carry your team over the line when you’re going through that is as good of a 100 as you’ll see from anyone.”
Wood has shown plenty as an emerging star in the landscape of the CCCA, displaying maturity beyond his years with the unbelievable knock.
The feat saw Wood become the youngest-ever centurion in Devon Meadows’ first XI.
Ligt has been impressed with his development and composure in a game that felt monumental in the Panthers’ season.
“Each game as the season’s come on we’ve watched him learn as he’s going,” Ligt said of Wood.
“In this innings we watched him grow.
“The team was only on 66 at the lunch break so he ground out and ground out but the way he was able to get out there again and up the speed and get it going was just perfectly crafted.
“He just fought and when he needed to go he couldn’t have timed it any better, it was perfect.”
Devon Meadows (3/215) went on to win by seven wickets, its first victory of the year, with Nathan Worsteling (40), Ben Marsh (21 not out) and Zach Bates (17) also contributing.
“It was pretty important to us, we knew how important it was,” Ligt said of winning.
“We definitely knew that it shaped our whole season to get the win there.
“The most important thing was the belief in our batting.
“Batesy’s innings as well to be able to come out and be aggressive through there, it showed what we are capable of.
“I think for a lot of people it instilled that bit of belief, I think it’s a relief for everyone and I hope it’s a sign of things to come for us.”
