A century from wicketkeeper Ryan Carters has guided the Victorian XI to a four-wicket win against the England Lions with just two balls to spare in their one-day clash at the Junction Oval in Melbourne on Monday.
Chasing a whopping 336 for victory, after the Lions amassed 4-335 from their 50 overs, the hosts got the required runs, thanks largely to the efforts of Carters (127 off 102 balls), Alex Keath (60 off 55) and opener Marcus Stoinis (57 off 74), for the loss of six wickets.
Carters was in scintillating touch as he clobbered 14 boundaries and two sixes in an innings that saw him achieve a strike rate of 124.5.
Carters and Keath came together with their side on 2-119 in the 22nd over and their asking rate swelling to 7.57.
But the pair compiled a crucial 131-run third-wicket partnership off just 18 overs which was pivotal in getting the Victorian XI back in the contest and ultimately seeing them record a thrilling win.
Earlier, the hosts' captain Ian Holland won the toss and decided to send the Lions in to bat.
That decision looked to have backfired badly after the tourists reached their mammoth total thanks to twin centuries from Varun Chopra (115 off 123) and captain James Taylor (102 retired off 114).
However, Carters, Keath and Stoinis in particular justified Holland's decision with some superb batting in the Victorian XI's memorable run chase.
Ryan Sidebottom (2-53 off seven overs) was the home side's only multiple wicket-taker while Matt Coles (2-58 off 10) was the pick of the England Lions' bowlers.
For the match scorecard, click this link: http://livescores.cricket.com.au/scoreboard_2810_1.html
First Posted 11 February, 2013 6:55PM AEST
