Vics out of finals despite classy Hicks
A STARTLING tournament from towering top-order batsman Gavan Hicks wasn’t enough to power Victoria into the final of the National Cricket Inclusion Championships in Geelong.
Hicks, of Avoca, produced another damaging carnival, scoring 374 at a staggering average of 124.67 in five hits.
His final knock of 45 couldn’t see Victoria home in yesterday’s semi-final against South Australia, going down by six wickets.
“On a personal note, it was a great tournament,” Hicks said. “I’ve been in great form all year for Avoca and then to come here, having not played any games since Christmas, and get some runs was pleasing.”
Hicks, who has represented Australia on four occasions, smashed back-to-back tons of 146 not out and 109 not out before contributing 66, 45 and 8 in his last three digs.
“Score-wise, it was my best,” Hicks said. “I made 146 in a T20 game and that’s only four runs off my personal best ... and that was in a two-game game.”
In the inaugural championships last year, Hicks made 391 at an average of 91.75 but he batted six times.
He could have topped that mark, but he was rested against New South Wales.
It was an inconsistent tournament for Victoria, which won three and lost three matches.
The Vics lost to South Australia on day one before secur- ing wins against Western Australia and Tasmania.
Queensland proved too strong for the Big V on day four, but the Vics bounced back against NSW on day five.
With the tournament on the line in yesterday’s semifinal against South Australia, the Vics were well beaten.
“We only made 136 and one batsman for South Australia (Scott May) batted really well and they got home,” Hicks said. The week-long carnival wraps up today, with grand finals in three divisions.