Victoria closes in on national title
Victoria took 10-117 on day two to defeat Queensland by 14 runs, defending just 184, with victory over Western Australia in the final match remaining as the only obstacle preventing it from claiming its first crown since 2003-04.
The exclamation point on the penultimate round-robin game was a blistering century to Matt Short in the final session of the day.
Short’s 100 from 104 balls in the second innings moved Victoria to 2-150 at the close of play, with a six point buffer at the top of the table.
Victoria will still be crowned national champions if New South Wales defeat Queensland in the final round, regardless of its own result against Western Australia.
Coach Graeme Rummans was really pleased with Short’s efforts, stating it was excellent reward for such a talented player.
“He has shown that he is a really capable player this week with a few thirties, so it was nice to go and see him get a big one,” Rummans said.
Earlier, the Victorian attack pushed for victory from the opening over of the day.
Opener Matthew Renshaw (32) was dismissed by gun all-rounder Guy Walker (3-27) before Kieron Elliot (1-7) trapped Sam Heazlett (three) in front to reduce Queensland to 2-65.
Wickets to Ejaaz Alavi (2-35) and Jack Baker (1-40) kept Victoria’s chances alive, but with Queensland advancing to 4-144, and needing just a further 41 for victory, the momentum was firmly with the Sunshine State.
The re-introduction of Walker and Matthew Bullen (2-28) ignited Victoria, with the pace duo grabbing 4-4 to decimate the Queensland’s middle order.
A run-out via Alavi brought the number 11 to the crease and the crafty spinner needed only four more balls to strike again to hand Victoria the most memorable of wins.
While there were many individual efforts that helped Victoria win, Rummans said it was his team’s ability to gel that got it over the line.
“They played fantastically as a team today. Even at 0-60 overnight, there was a genuine belief that they could win,” Rummans said.
“There seems to be a real care for one another out there, which as a coach is great to see.
“As a group they seem very keen to be a part of winning something.”
The Victorian pace bowlers have emerged this carnival as some of the best in the country, with Bullen suggesting it had been there execution as a group that had allowed them to bowl so well.
“We (the pace bowlers) just try to stick to the plans and not get too aggressive'” Bullen said.
“If we put the ball in the right place, the wickets will fall for us. It’s important that we put the batters under pressure, and I think we did that today.”
Heading into the final match against Western Australia, Bullen said the group was focused towards getting a fifth and final win.
“The boys are really up and about for the last game,” Bullen said.
“We won’t leave any stone unturned, and hopefully we leave Tassie with five wins, and a championship.”
Today’s rest day will serve as recovery for the Victorians, who will face seventh-placed Western Australia tomorrow for a chance at a ninth title at the Under-17 National Championship.
For score updates be sure to follow @CVPathway on Twitter or ‘like’ the CV Pathway Facebook page.
To see full results from Under-17 National Championships, click here.
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