SPORT Strike survive as nailbiter final over takes Grit close
TWO runs.
That was the difference in a thriller which saw the Northern Territory Strike register its second-straight SACA Redbacks League Cup victory, over the Western Grit at the Marrara Cricket Ground.
But the Grit players thought they should have had those two runs, when two full-toss deliveries were not called as no-balls in the final over.
With 21 runs needed off the last over and with last week’s hero Luke Robins bowling it, it should not have been so close.
After scoring 311 with the bat, the Strike looked almost sure things to notch up their second SACA Redbacks League Cup game from as many matches.
But the last over from Robins – who was the opening-ball hero with 4-46 in his team’s 14run win over the Northern Mavericks last Saturday – was eventful and controversial.
One delivery crashed into the ribs of Daniel Drew (23 not-out off 15 balls) and not called a no-ball, two deliveries after he belted two consecutive sixes down the ground to give his team a legitimate chance of snaring an unlikely victory.
Another full toss was then called a no-ball, leaving Drew with four to win off the final ball, which was a free hit.
Drew top edged it and was caught at fine leg, scampering through for a single in a dra- matic final over which ended up going for 19 runs.
Again, the Grit bench was furious the final delivery wasn’t called a no-ball, but they had to accept a cruel defeat.
The Strike’s Jake Weatherald burst on to the first-class scene last summer, scoring 66 and 96 for South Australia against Victoria in the Sheffield Shield final.
He was at it again yesterday, scoring 112 off 104 balls.
The 21-year-old was supported well by fellow Redback Tom Andrews (70 off 69), Robins (36 off 23) and captain Ben Wakim (30 off 46).
Andrews also took 2-51 with his left-arm spinners.
Openers Kelvin Smith (100 off 94) and Sam Raphael (85 off 97) starred for the visitors.
Jake Lehmann – son of Australian coach Darren Lehmann – also hit 61 off 51 balls before he was bowled by Andrews in the latter overs.
Meanwhile, Papua New Guinea continued their unbeaten start with an impressive four-wicket win over last year’s champions the Eastern Edge at Marrara No.2, Assad Vala topscoring with 51.
PNG has a one-point lead over the Strike in the competition standings.
And the Northern Mavericks cruised to a seven-wicket win over the Southern Force in Adelaide.
The Strike face the Edge at Marrara today.