Super over decides super series

Metro demonstrated its power in the under-19 match, amassing 7-180 from their 20 overs, thanks largely to a quick-fire 52 from Bayside Breaker Josh Manning.

Dylan Quirk (42) and Tom Russ (36) contributed strongly throughout the contest as well to cap off a great week for the Metro batsmen.

Mallee-Murray Bull Trent Thompson was the best with the ball for Country after taking 3-38.

Despite getting off to a good start (3-62 off 10), Country was always going to be under pressure to maintain the hefty required run-rate.

Excellent bowling from Pat Ashton (2-18) and Tom Russ (2-17) ensured that Country were never in the hunt, finishing 50 runs adrift at 9-131.

Corey Ogle battled hard for an unbeaten 25, as did Robbie Salerni, who managed a hard fought 20 to cap off a great week for the South-East Country Shark.

As the four-day series was locked at two-apiece, a ‘Super Over’ was used to decide the series, with Country emerging the winner of the inaugural series.

During a tighter under-17 contest, consistent batting and explosive bowling saw Metro emerge with a 32-run victory and a 3-1 series win.

Metro’s batting performance demonstrated its depth once again, with runs spread between Jack Blain (24), Sam Harper (22) and Ejaz Alavi (22).

Two wickets each to Tatterson, Wood and Gray saw Metro kept to a competitive, but not unchasable, 7-121.

At 3-42 Country looked to be in the hunt, but explosive spells from Northern Falcon pair, Mathew Bullen (3-7) and Ejaz Alavi (3-17), saw Country dismissed for 89.

Jack Baker capped off a good couple of days with 30, while Kyle Mueller batted well through the middle order for 22.

It was an excellent week all round for Alavi, who backed up his tight bowling with some busy middle order runs.

High performance manager Tim McCaskill was ecstatic with the new concept and expressed his delight with how the series ran.

“It has been fantastic,” McCaskill said this afternoon.

“The week has worked exactly how he hoped it would.

“This series has given us the chance to see players in a competitive match environment, highlighting who can perform under match conditions.”

Players this week will return to club cricket, with an eye to further selection trials, scheduled for the coming month.

The Under-17 National Championships will be held in Hobart from December 10 to 20, while the Under-19 National Championships will be held in Adelaide from January 7 to 17.

Under-19 T20 result

Metro 7-180: (Manning 52, Quirk 42, Russ 36, Thompson 3-38) d Country: 9-133 (Ogle 25*, Salerni 20, Russ 2-17, Ashton 2-18)

*Country claim the series 2-2 after Super Over

Under-17 T20 result

Metro 7-121: (Blain 24, Harper 22, Alavi 22) d Country 89(cc): (Baker 30, Mueller 22

Bullen 3-7, Alavi 3-17)

**Metro claim the series 3-1