The 16-year-old right-arm medium bowler boosted his chances of keeping his place with an impressive outing in the seven-wicket victory against West Warrnambool in the Warrnambool and District Cricket Association one-dayer on Saturday.

Dews finished with figures of 5-7 off seven overs, which included five wicket-maiden overs, in the Gators’ first win of the season.

When Allansford captain-coach Chris Bant threw the teenager the ball the Panthers were sitting comfortably at 2-74. West’s innings soon collapsed as they fell all-out for 92. 

Dews, who is in his second season at Allansford after crossing from East Warrnambool, was pleased with his final figures and said the key was sticking to his pre-game plan.

“I was pretty happy with it,” the year 11 Warrnambool College student said. “I was trying to bowl top of off (stump) each ball and it turned out well.

“Three of them were bowled, one was caught and bowled and another was caught at cover as well.”

The teenager said the message from Bant was to continue to be tight in the field even when the momentum was in the bowler’s favour.

The next challenge for Dews, who would also like more batting time, is making sure his form doesn’t drop off after a starring effort.

“I just have to keep being consistent with my bowling and trying to hitting the top of off (stump),” he said.