Under-19s pull one out of the fire
Victoria defended its modest total of 169 by the barest of margins as its fast bowling arsenal again showed their class on the national stage.
Ben Ashkenazi, who now sits third on the competition wicket table with 14, took 4-56 as Queensland battled to maintain partnerships throughout an extended second day.
Queensland initially looked comfortable at 1-35 before wickets to Ashkenazi, Joe Cousins and Tom Russ put the game firmly in Victoria’s favour.
A defiant 45 from Ben McDermott, son of former Test quick Craig, ensured the match would go down to the wire before Ashkenazi’s second spell exposed the tail, with 40 still required for victory.
At 9-147, the game looked won for Victoria before a 21-run last wicket partnership almost stole the match for the Queenslanders.
A short ball from Mathew Fotia captured the wicket as Victoria celebrated its second memorable victory of the campaign.
Victorian coach Shawn Flegler praised his chargers fight and determination to force an unlikely win.
“It’s always good to win the close ones,” Flegler said.
“We haven’t played our best certainly, but we have hung in there when we have needed to.
“Obviously we would like guys to get a few more runs and post some big totals, but it is a good sign that when that doesn’t happen, we can still get the win.
“We definitely saw that with the under-17 side, and we are seeing it with this group as well.”
Earlier, Victoria’s batting again was put under pressure, losing 4-2 in a horror opening hour of play.
Resuming at 5-137, having lost Scott Dixon in the final over of play on day one, Victoria was always going to be under pressure to push its total beyond 200.
A blistering spell from Billy Stanlake (5-45) and Mitchell Swepson (3-27) reduced Victoria to 9-145, but 11th hour replacement Joe Cousins proved his worth at number 10, blasting 23 from 17 balls to help post a competitive total.
Later in the day, Victoria made the most of a second innings opportunity, moving its way to 3-137 at stumps with Mark Phelan unbeaten on 58.
A rest day greets the players today, before a final round match up with Western Australia will decide Victoria’s final place in this year’s competition.
To follow the scores of this game, be sure to follow @CVPathway on Twitter and/or to ‘like’ the CV Pathway Facebook page.
To see full results from the Under-19 National Championships, click here.
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