South Caulfield crowned Statewide T20 champions

During a dominate performance, Clarke hammered 89 not out from just 62 balls including eight boundaries and four sixes before returning to snare 2-21 with the ball to kill off any chance of an Upwey-Tecoma upset.

South Calufield’s victory is the first time a metropolitan club has lifted the silverware at the ‘G after country sides claimed the first five editions of the tournament.

Having won the toss and elected to bat, South Caulfield lost Masmulla Thilana for a duck in the opening over as David Bell enticed him into a pull shot that only succeeded in finding the square leg fieldsman.

Thilana’s departure paved the way for Clarke to stride to the crease and the hard-hitting right-hander carried his bat for the remainder of the innings as he provided the impetus for a total of 4-146.

Opener Ben Howell provided solid support with 22 from 23 balls, while skipper Luke Russell chipped in with 20 from 19 balls and Sampath Perera added 10 from 12 at the death.

With a required run rate of 7.35 from the outset, the Tigers’ innings failed to gain momentum as some tight bowling and lethal fielding did the job for South Caulfield.

While six Upwey-Tecoma batsmen reached double figures, the Tigers failed to convert, with captain Sam Taylor top-scoring with 35 from 27 balls.

Chris Jewell (13 from 18 balls), Matthew Mulcahy (16 from 22), Dain Howe (12 from 17), Bell (12 from six) and Darren Spence (10 from nine) all provided starts before coming unstuck.

Howell and Perera each snared two wickets to cap off fine all round games, while Shane Jeffree was the other wicket taker as the Tigers completed their overs at 9-120 to provide South Caulfield with a memorable win.

Statewide Twenty20 winners

2013 – South Caulfield CC
2012 – Wendouree CC
2011 – East Belmont CC
2010 – Wendouree CC
2009 – South Barwon CC
2008 – Heatherhill CC