Brad Mant has produced a fairytale performance in Game 400 alongside his partner in crime Jason Cunningham, the pair combining to set an abundance of records in their 40-over encounter last Saturday.

Manty smashed an incredible 108 not out, and Cunningham was unbeaten on 112, the two coming together to post 0/273 from 40 overs at Trevor Gribble Reserve.

0/273 – the new record for the highest partnership in Leeming Spartan history.

Chasing Maddington’s 143, the pair put the Bulls to the sword, chasing the total down in the 26th over before upping the anti to incredible levels, with 99 runs coming from the last ten overs.

It certainly wasn’t a chance-less knock, but the pair played a number of extraordinary strokes, none of which cleared the rope.

A rejuvenated Mant and an evergreen Cunners scored in either fours or singles (with the odd two), but did it so consistently throughout the 40-overs that those watching from the sidelines knew they were witnessing something special.

Maddington were exceptional sports throughout the clash, forming a guard of honour (see below) for Manty before he went out to bat in the second innings.

It is an extreme performance that has shattered the record for the previous highest parntership at Leeming Spartan, not just for that grade, but for any grade and any wicket.

The two are now the proud owners of the greatest partnership in the history of the Leeming Spartan Cricket Club, all 98 years.

It betters the record set by Leinsars and O’Brien in 1993/94, the two put on 264 also for the first wicket in the 5th Grade.

Mant and Cunners opened the innings together, walking onto the surface of Trevor Gribble Reserve to start their pursuit of Maddington’s score, and incredibly, walked off together three hours later with a number of records to their names.


It caps off a remarkable week for Mant, who could have been forgiven for being too busy celebrating his 400th Game for the Club, but never one to shy away, he produced yet another moment to add to his long list of incredible achievements for the Club.

It is almost impossible to believe, to become just the fifth person to play 400 games for the Spartans, and make 108 not out in a partnership of 273 in it!

Cunners meanwhile was at his cricketing best on Saturday, with a technique that rivals the greats he scored yet another century for the Club, having played only a handful of games this season.

The pair have been longtime mates, playing many a season together in two-day cricket, including a premiership in 5th Grade in 2010/11.

Manty (third from the back left), and Cunners (second from the right in the front row), celebrating a memorable premiership in 2011.

Manty is having an incredible season in the One Day ‘B’s, once again leading the run scorers for the Club, having already scored an unbeaten 106 last month and a number of scores above 50.

He recently reached his 12,000th run for the Club – the first person to do so – and now sits on almost 12,300 career runs.

It is certainly a performance that will take some beating, and it is fantastic to see the record for highest partnership shattered by two stalwarts with our one-hundredth anniversary quickly approaching.


View The Photos Below!

It has truly been a memorable day for the Club and for Brad Mant (in game 400), and Jason Cunningham, and we congratulate the duo on their outstanding performances!

The 400 Game Side:

D. Batley, P. Brown, J. Sweetman, L. Kingston, S. Hersey, I. Murfitt, J. O’Neill, R. Lance

J. Cunningham, B. Mant, R. McDonald (Captain), D. Abercrombie






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