At a glance
Central Stags 99-8 (G Worker 37 off 33 balls; A Devcich 3-16 off 4 overs, I Sodhi 2-15 off 4, S Kuggeleijn 2-24 off 3) lost to Northern Knights 103-1 (Devcich 51 not out off 24 balls, D Brownlie 28 off 17 balls) by nine wickets. Cap had starred throughout the competition with 12 wickets at 18.91 at 6.67 runs per over and his final performance mirrored that of his round-robin exploits by taking 3-16 off his four overs.
Sodhi also produced a masterclass that matched his billing, capturing 2-15 off his four overs as the Stags sank further into the mire.
‘‘Things went our way - Jesse hit one out to the boundary which was a handy bonus - then obviously the spinners could come on after the sixth [over] and really make it tough for them,’’ Brownlie said. ‘‘You have plans, and a lot of the time it doesn’t work, and today was one of those days where everything worked out.
‘‘Our spinners have been outstanding the whole campaign - especially when they’re on the back foot and can’t take too many risks,’’ Brownlie said. ‘‘It makes life a lot easier - you can attack with fields and with the pace off on a slow wicket. I thought we did a great job.
‘‘You couldn’t ask for anything more as a captain - they bowled tough overs, they’re never shy of taking the ball against good opponents in tough times, with short boundaries - they’re always up for a challenge.’’
Openers Tim Seifert (23 off 12 balls) and Devcich (51 not out off 24) got the Knights off to a quick start in their chase. No 3 Brownlie (28no) soon featured, taking five fours in a scintillating strokemaking display off one over from Blair Tickner.
Not to be outdone, Devcich then went one better as he struck a four off every ball of the next over bowled by left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel.
It was the second domestic Twenty20 crown in Northern’s history, and an instant triumph for new Knights T20 coach Gareth Hopkins. The former wicketkeeper-batsman was given the job in a specialist role this season - with incumbent James Pamment retained for the one-day and first-class competitions, before recently accepting a fielding coach job with the Mumbai Indians in the IPL.