THUNDER STRUCK
RUNOUT DRAMA DECIDES TITLE
THE most thrilling finish imaginable has handed the Gold Coast Thunder the Bulls Masters Country Challenge title and a celebratory night of “all hell breaking loose”.
Veteran Nic Peterson’s direct hit run-out from point yesterday changed the course of the T20 representative decider just as the DuckworthLewis system appeared to be swaying to the North Queensland Monsoons.
Chasing 6-153, the northerners were 2-50 at the Gabba, needing to be 2-51 from seven overs in order to stay ahead of the calculations should the rain return.
It did, but not before one last ball in which the batting pair attempted the go-ahead single, giving Peterson his moment to shine.
“He’s a jet across the ground,” coach Simon Belston said of the Southport Labrador batsman.
“He’s very quick and very good. For him to get that runout, it was a big moment in the game and changed the Duckworth-Lewis (required score) to 56.”
Belston was well aware of
the calculations, keeping a sheet in his pocket on the side of the field.
“We knew it was (a big moment) because the rain was coming,” Belston said. “It was quite tense.
“We were fortunate to get on at all because the game had already been reduced to 19 overs each side.
“We were confident we were going to be able to defend our score but we also knew that powerplay was going to be crucial.”
The Thunder had reached the T20 final after powering through the preliminary rounds in October.
They proved they were worthy as opener Kevin Chapman (65) joined the bighitting Phil Tunnicliffe in a 58-run opening salvo that set the tone. “We had done all the hard work in Bundaberg,” Belston said, referring to the preliminary rounds. “We put a lot into it and got rewards.
“Kevin Chapman was very classy with his 65 and the guys deserve that.”
And for celebrations? “We were in the Queensland Cricketers’ Club and I’m sure (later on) all hell will break loose,” Belston said.
The Thunder won’t play again until next season and Belston admitted he won’t make decisions on personnel until closer to the 2020-21 Kookaburra Cup campaign.
FOR HIM TO GET THAT RUN-OUT, IT WAS A BIG MOMENT IN THE GAME AND CHANGED THE DUCKWORTH-LEWIS
BELSTON ON NIC PETERSON