It was never going to be easy as our Under-19s opened their 2012 National Championships against the reigning champions, Victoria. However, very quickly having them 2-3, the NT bowlers had their tails up. Restricting them to 198 all out, Matthew Hanna and Joel Logan each taking three wickets, it was game-on. While Luke Robins and Jake Weatherald got amongst the runs, the target was never really in NT’s sights and we were eventually dismissed for 178.
Next up was the hosts and our batsmen made a good fist of batting first under the irrepressible Adelaide sun. A competitive total of 218 was set, as Thomas Andrews brought his blistering form from the Under-17s National Championships with a composed 62 and Ben Whyte chipped in with 37. South Australia appeared undaunted however, posting half-century stands for their first two wickets and eventually chasing down the target with six wickets and four overs to spare.
The final 50-over game proved no easier as the boys came up against NSW. A 63-run eighth-wicket partnership from Andrews and Robins rescued the innings from a precarious 8-103, however NSW never looked overly troubled as they reached the target of 175 with seven wickets in hand. With the ball, Matthew Hanna took his tally to 7 wickets for the tournament but his best was yet to come.
Hanna produced a magnificent display in the first two-day match against ACT taking 6 wickets in our fellow Territorians’ total of 290. Our reply certainly didn’t start in an ideal fashion as the sixth wicket fell with the score on just 44. However, the NT tail again stood up and wagged admirably to drag the total to 200 as Logan (55) and Robins (32) put on 87 for the final wicket. ACT took to the field for their second innings and finished at 2-223 in an accomplished display of batting.
Next up was Tasmania whose quicks proved a little much as NT were dismissed for 136. Pat Pisel scored an important 31 while Ben Cooper, who is currently taking part in Fox Sports’ Cricket Superstar, was the standout with a solid half-century. Tasmania tightened their grip on the game, eventually declaring their reply on 7-235, Logan and Hanna taking two wickets each. In our second innings, an opening half-century stand would have given the lads some confidence but they’ll be very much looking forward to the two remaining t20s against Queensland and WA as a chance to make their mark on the Championships.