The ton was his first in a 31-year batting career.

Hynes has built his game as one of Darley cricket’s key run-scorers.

He has come close to a ton many times before. 

Eight times he has scored more than 90 runs and a few in the 80s. Most agonisingly, Hynes ran himself out once on 96.

This time, it was a pull shot through backward square that broke Hynes’ century hoodoo in a Ballarat Cricket Association club fourths one-dayer against North Ballarat at Wendouree West.

“It was good to wake up on Sunday and realise this was not a dream,” Hynes said.

“It was just a relief when it happened. I finally got the monkey off my back and the years of ribbing from the boys at the club over when I was going to make a century, those days are over.”

Long-time teammates, counting down each run to the milestone, came charging on to the pitch to celebrate.

Hynes’ eldest son Josh was umpiring square leg at the time but earlier opened the batting with Hynes in a quick-fire 54-run partnership.

Play ticked on and Hynes reached his ton with three overs to spare and reached stumps with no signs of stopping. 

He was unbeaten on 133, guiding the Lions’ innings to 6-265.

The Roosters opened strong with the bat and play grew tight but the Lions held on for a 43-run victory.

The match finished so late that most Lions had left the clubrooms before Hynes’ triumphant return.

Darley senior coach Terry Moloney said players made up for it at Tuesday night’s training session when they cheered and clapped Hynes entered the ground.

“He’s been around a long, long time and does a great job down in the fours,” Moloney said.

“When guys have joked to him about the century, he’s always said if ‘I make 100, I’m going to retire’ in reply but hopefully that will be a long way off now too.”

melanie.whelan@fairfaxmedia.com.au