Strikers Crowned 2024 Top End T20 Series Champions

Player of the final Tom O’Connell hammered seven boundaries on his way to 53 from 33 deliveries and put on a crucial 78-run stand with Harry Matthias (19) to set up the Strikers batting innings.

 
The win seals are remarkable weekend for the Strikers who snuck into the top four late on Saturday afternoon courtesy of net run rate differential before smashing the Pakistan Shaheens in the semi-final on Sunday morning.
 
Strikers captain Liam Scott was full of praise for his team post-match.
 
“We saved our best cricket for the last three games,” Scott said after the match.
 
“To come out and play without fear yesterday knowing that we might or might not be in the finals was a challenge, but we gave it our best crack.
 
“It has been an awesome couple of weeks, we’ve had so much fun in Darwin this week and to finish with the trophy is an incredible feeling.”

 
Sent into bat after losing the toss, the Strikers finished 7-169 thanks to lower order contributions from Ryan King (35) and Sam Rahaley (20).
 
The Bangladesh run chase started strongly but as they have done all tournament, the Strikers bowlers stalled all momentum and swung the match back in Adelaide’s favour.

 
Wickets fell consistently throughout the run chase, with five bowlers taking two wickets apiece perfectly displaying the collective contributions from the attack.
 
“I always thought it we could get around 160 it would be competitive target,” Scott said of his team’s batting innings.
 
“We were always in the game and our bowlers have bowled so well all week.
 
“Our focus as a fielding unit was on building that pressure and supporting the bowlers. We knew if we held our catches and applied pressure, we were always going to be right in it.
 
“For everyone to chip in and contribute to success was awesome to see.”
 
Tanzid Hasan Tamim (35) and Mahfuzur Rahman Rabby (21) tried to keep the Tigers in the hunt, but they were eventually bowled out in the final over of the innings, 32 runs short of the target.
 
Earlier in the day, Jake Winter catapulted the Strikers into the final with a century against the Pakistan Shaheens, ending the hopes of an all-international final.
 
Bangladesh won through to the final after toppling defending champions the NT Strike at TIO Stadium.
 
“Full credit to NT Cricket, it has been a fantastic tournament and we’ve loved every moment,” Scott said following the presentations.
 
“It was great to play against some quality opposition, hopefully we’ll be back next year.
 
“We’ll enjoy a few beers tonight and celebrate the win.”