Desert Blaze Win 2023 CDU Men's Strike League

In a thrilling grand final of the 2023 Strike League, Desert Blaze emerged victorious, clinching the title against City Cyclones in a nail-biting encounter that went down to the final over. 

Even though the Blaze lost the hard-hitting Josh Kann for a duck, Blaze's captain, Angus Lovell, took charge scoring a valuable 33 runs. Lovell found an able partner in Jack Wood, who played a brilliant innings, contributing 76 runs to form a formidable partnership during the power play.

The middle-order batsmen also made vital contributions, propelling Blaze to an impressive total of 140 runs for the loss of 5 wickets.

The path to victory for Desert Blaze became more promising when they managed to dismiss Cyclones' captain and the season's leading run-scorer, Sam Heazlett, early on for just one run.

Brodie Symons and Jarrod Freeman proved to be a formidable duo, wreaking havoc on Cyclones' top order by dismissing Wil Parker (0) and James Doherty (5) to leave Cyclone's 3/7 at the start of the third over.

However, Cyclones showed resilience and stability later on, thanks to significant contributions from Jayden Goodwin (21), Isaac Conway (22), Mitch Doolan (28), and Coby Edmondstone (36), which helped calm the nerves.

In the crucial final over, just when it seemed that the partnership of Hamish Martin (12*) and Caelan Maladay (7) might secure the necessary runs, Tom Menzies, struck gold by bowling out Maladay with the second last ball of the final. 

With one delivery remaining, Cyclones required six runs for victory, but fell just short, scoring a four off the final ball. 

Desert Blaze's Jack Wood was named Player of the Final after making 76 (59) which included four huge 6s. 

Cyclones Captain Sam Haezlett was the leading run scorer for the 2023 tournament making 456 runs at an average of 41.45 and Blaze's Jarrod Freeman was the leading wicket taker taking 26 wickets at an average of 11.65.

With the conclusion of the Strike League, attention now turn to the Top End Series which commences Sunday 31 July at Gardens Oval with the NT Strike taking on Pakistan Shaheens.