After defeat against Victoria Metro on day five, Northern Territory finished the Under 17 National Championships on a high, claiming a commanding 134 run victory over Tasmania on the final day.
The win marked NT’s first victory at the Under 17 National Championships since the 2019–20 season and reflected the significant work undertaken by players and staff across the NT pathways in 2025. That development has extended through the NT Academy, Kookaburra Junior Strike League and Interstate Challenge programs.
Sent in to bat, NT’s top order laid a strong foundation, with Darwin’s Ralph Stephens (39), Nirav Sharma (43) and Tracy Village’s Tye Beer (35) all contributing as the Territory reached 3 for 134.
Southern Districts’ Sam Barker (44) then provided momentum through the middle overs, striking four fours and one six, combining with PINT’s Noah McDonald (16) and Tracy Village’s Dhruv Shandilya (11 not out) to lift NT to 8 for 239 from their 50 overs.
With the ball, Barker (1 for 7) again set the tone with two outstanding overs featuring pace and swing before being forced from the attack through injury. At the other end, Waratah’s Junaid Mansoor (1 for 24) delivered a disciplined 10 over spell that restricted Tasmania’s scoring.
NT’s ability to build on those opening spells proved decisive. The spin trio of Tye Beer (2 for 29), Dhruv Shandilya (4 for 24) and Nirav Sharma (2 for 9) applied sustained pressure through the middle overs, ensuring no Tasmanian batter apart from Charles Hill (46) and Trent Smith (10) reached double figures.
Sharma eventually claimed the final wicket as Tasmania were dismissed for 105, sealing a comprehensive 134 run victory for the Territory.
Earlier, day five’s match against Victoria Metro saw NT bat first, with Tye Beer (60) continuing his impressive Championships at just 15 years of age. Palmerston’s Cadell McMahon (33) and Nirav Sharma (29) provided support as NT posted a competitive total of 197.
In reply, Victoria Metro reached the target for the loss of four wickets, with Jackson Martin (50 not out) and Rupptaz Kharoud (59 not out) combining in an unbeaten fifth wicket partnership after their side had slipped to 4 for 116. Southern Districts’ Deepanshu Panwar (2 for 40) and Sam Barker (1 for 19) were the wicket takers for NT, with Beer also contributing a run out.
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