Geelong cricketer peaks with top first-class score

GEELONG local Ollie Peake has hit runs all over the park for his country against Sri Lanka A .

The 18-year-old notched his highest score of his first-class career, smashing 92 runs for Australia A in yesterday’s (Wednesday, July 23) second four-day match in Darwin.

The left-handed batter has made a big name for himself since coming into Australia’s squad as a 17 year old in the Under 19 World Cup in South Africa in 2024.

Impressing with a half-century on his Sheffield Shield debut for Victoria in 2024-25, he was invited to join Australia’s Test squad earlier this year.

Peake earned his first full contracts with Victoria and the Melbourne Renegades ahead of the 2025-26 summer and was selected in the Australia A side.

Speaking after the game, Peake said he was rapt to score just shy of 100 runs.

“It was great fun… I loved batting with Jason [Sangha] out there. It was a bit disappointing not to get the 100, but I had a great time out there.

“Any time you’re in the 90’s you’re hoping to get to 100, but if someone told me at the start of the game that I’d make 92, I’d definitely take it!

“As the ball got a bit older, it was a bit hard to score against the spin… it was a bit tricky to manoeuvre singles, but as I went on I got used to it and played accordingly.”

Peake said he is thoroughly enjoying playing with the many new people he has met in the Australia A squad.

“I’ve absolutely loved it, all the boys are great fellas… I feel to make it to this level you have to be a good bloke, in a way.

“I’ve found everyone really approachable and all the coaching staff as well have been awesome. It’s definitely an experience I won’t forget.”

Local cricketing fans will be able to catch Peake in action in the Big Bash League when the Melbourne Renegades play in Geelong on December 15 and December 21.