For the fourth time in five matches, the Kookaburra Boys Junior Strike League has seen a match decided by the final over or wicket.
After Tuesday's (July 1) narrow loss to Cricket for All, Northern Territory bounced back with a 1-wicket victory against Victoria Big Cats in their 50-over match at Cazalys Arena.
The visitors elected to bat first, with Noah Langham (76) continuing on his good form throughout the Kookaburra Boys Junior Strike, taking his overall tournament runs to 140 (at an average of 70). Langham was well supported by Jobe Williams (35) and Shaven Rajapakse (19), as the Big Cats ended their innings on 9/200 from their 50-overs.
Tracy Village’s Tye Beer (4/32) was the standout for the NT side with the ball, while Waratah’s Arlo Everett (2/44) and Harvey McCormick (1/22) supported with tight bowling. Tracy Village’s Lucas Nixon was also in the action with the gloves, claiming two catches and a stumping.
After the innings break, Pint’s Noah McDonald (45) got the hosts off to a solid start as he combined with Darwin’s Ralph Stephens (21) and Tracy Village’s Dhruv Shandilya (20) to get the Territory to 2/82, before a flurry of wickets saw NT slump to 8/128.
With the game seemingly over, Waratah’s Rithun Ramanan (45*) formed a pivotal partnership with Southern District’s Angad Panwar (29), putting on 63 runs for the 9th wicket before Panwar was dismissed with 10 runs required.
Nightcliff’s Riley Suter (5*) came to the crease, and together with Ramanan took their time as they chipped away at the 10-run deficit, eventually surpassing the total in the 49th over, with the score ending 9/201.
The final match of the Kookaburra Boys Junior Strike League will be played today between Victoria Big Cats and Cricket for All at Cazalys Arena, before the two sides will again meet on Friday in a 40-over exhibition match at DXC 2.
Click here for the full scorecard.