A teenage cricket prodigy from the Illawarra region has rewritten the history books, smashing a record that stood for 125 years in a breathtaking display of batting prowess.
Record-Breaking Innings Stuns Local Cricket Community
Blake Cattle, aged just 16, produced an extraordinary innings for the Keira Lions against Helensburgh on Saturday, November 8, 2025, hammering an unbelievable 236 runs. Cricket Illawarra officials believe this represents the highest individual score ever recorded on a turf wicket in the competition's 125-year first-grade history.
The remarkable knock came during a 50-over match at Rex Jackson Park, making the achievement even more significant given that the Illawarra competition previously focused on two-day cricket for many decades. Cattle's monumental score surpassed the previous one-day record of 235 set by teenager Taun Stanham for University back in 2010.
From Early Collapse to Historic Partnership
The stage for Cattle's heroics was set dramatically when he came to the crease with his team in early trouble at 1-1. What followed was pure batting mastery as the teenager transformed the game completely.
Cattle shared two crucial partnerships that propelled Keira Lions to an imposing total of 9-395. First, he combined with his older brother Rhys Cattle (30) for an 86-run stand, before unleashing his full potential in a massive 219-run partnership with Matthew Marning, who contributed 60 valuable runs.
The 16-year-old's innings featured an astonishing 17 boundaries and 10 massive sixes, demonstrating both technical precision and raw power. By the time he was finally dismissed with the score at 8-362, Cattle had not only broken multiple records but had also secured a dominant position for his team.
Drawing Comparisons to Cricket Greats
Illawarra coach Mark Johnston didn't hesitate to draw comparisons between the young prodigy and former Australian Test batter Phil Jaques, a member of the Cricket Illawarra Hall of Fame.
"His temperament reminds me a lot of Phil Jaques," Johnston stated. "His concentration is outstanding, and he never gives away his wicket. He has a great hunger for runs. He hits a ball cleanly. Even when he hits it in the air, he hits it with power and precision, so he doesn't give many chances."
Johnston also noted similarities with another Illawarra cricket legend, the late Glen Smede, describing both as "run machines" with excellent technique and temperament during their teenage years.
The record-breaking performance continues an incredible purple patch for the young batsman, coming just one week after he hammered a chanceless 123 not out off 90 balls against Sutherland in Watson Shield action on November 2. That innings at Hollymount Park in Woonona featured 11 fours and six sixes, marking his third century in four Watson Shield matches.
Despite his historic achievement on Saturday, Cattle demonstrated his commitment to the sport by turning out for St George in an under-21 competition the very next day.
His father, Peter Cattle, revealed the secret behind his son's success: "Blake will hit as many balls as I or anyone will throw at him. He spends a lot of hours in the nets trying to improve his game."
The Keira Lions ultimately secured a comprehensive 306-run victory, dismissing Helensburgh Tigers for just 89 runs, with Cattle's record-shattering innings proving the decisive factor in the match.
