Country continues red-hot form
An unbeaten century from Traralgon's Adrian Burgiel has guided Victoria to a 39-run victory against East Asia Pacific in a Twenty20 fixture at the Australian Country Cricket Championships in Bundaberg.
Burgiel’s 53-ball ton, which included eight boundaries and nine sixes, was complimented by the stunning figures of 6-26 from Mornington Peninsula all-rounder Justin Grant.
The victory was far from a fait accompli, however, with the match going down to the wire.
Having won the toss and elected to bat, Victoria posted a whopping 2-228 from its overs with opener Rob Hearn pummeling 44 from 29 balls before skipper Heath Pyke added an unbeaten 45 from 29 balls at the death.
East Asia Pacific made a strong fist of the run chase as the combined outfit reached 2-138 after 12 overs before Grant wrestled the match back in Victoria’s favour.
Swan Hill all-rounder Luke Kentish (2-37) continued his promising start to the carnival, while Albury Wodonga’s Liam Scammell (1-19) closed out the innings at the death.
While the Victorians were able to celebrate in the morning, the afternoon fixture did not go to plan, with Queensland cruising to a seven-wicket victory with 10 overs in hand to inflict the side’s first loss of the tournament.
For the first time in Bundaberg, Victoria’s batting line-up failed to fire as they were shot out for 104 with seven balls to spare.
Ballarat’s Tristan Dixon top-scored with 20 from 18 balls, while Hearn (17), Burgiel (15) and Pyke (12) were the only other batsmen to reach double figures.
Queensland made light work of the run chase with Kentish (2-23) and Scammell (1-16) the sole wicket takers.
Victoria will enjoy a rest day today before meeting South Australia in a two-day fixture from Thursday and currently sit second on the table behind an unbeaten New South Wales.
To see a full scorecard from the Australian Country Cricket Championships, click here.
Photo: Gippsland Times
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