Eight-year-old's smashing run of sixes leaves onlookers stumped

Louie Chandulal, 8, scored 104 runs off five overs, including eight sixes in a row. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Whisk this guy into the Black Caps.

Eight-year-old Louie Chandulal grinned large yesterday when he told the story of smashing 104 not-out off five overs - including eight consecutive sixes - during his Saturday morning game.

On his way to the crease at Orakei Domain he looked over at Patrick Chandulal and told him he was in a batting mood: "I told my Dad, I was going to be Jesse Ryder," Louie said.

The left-hander scored the century for the Parnell Cricket Club's Redmond team against another of his club's sides, Watling, in the grade four Eastern Districts competition.

Louie's contribution to the scorecard included a run of eight sixes (there were 12 altogether), and five boundaries. He scored the fastest 50 possible as the first nine balls comprised eight sixes and a four.

It was a knock so good that the other team's coach gave Louie the player of the day prize, a Crunchie.

His family have had a big cricket week. On Waitangi Day, they hosted some Black Caps in the backyard to play a Campbell Live selection.

The chalkboard is still up on the family fence recording a win for Daniel Vettori, Martin Guptill, Grant Elliott, and the McCullum brothers, who played with the Chandulal brothers Louie, Samson, 11, and 5-year-old Charlie.

And on Saturday night, the boys went to the T20 match between England and New Zealand.

The brothers were out in their backyard again yesterday. Nadia Olla, 13, sat on their fence ready to chase down any stray shots that made it over to her house.

The boys' mother, Natalie, says cricket is a religion in the household.

"To do 12 sixes and eight in a roll, my husband's sitting there going, 'Oh good on ya, Louie, there's one, oh number two, that's good. By three we're going 'Oh heck,' and he just kept on. He's a very talented little boy but it's nothing to do with us, trust me; he just gets out there and hits the ball."

Louie reckons one day he and Samson may end up playing in the country's top team.

Until then he's going to keep practising. "You've got to keep your eye on the ball."