A brilliant penultimate over from Australian keeper Lyle Teske ensured the Australian Extreme men’s indoor cricket team remained undefeated after four rounds in their quest for an eighth straight Indoor Cricket World Cup.
A brilliant penultimate over from Australian keeper Lyle Teske ensured the Australian Extreme men’s indoor cricket team remained undefeated after four rounds in their quest for an eighth straight Indoor Cricket World Cup.
In front of a near capacity, and parochial, home crowd the South African team appeared in control all night and began the last two overs requiring just nine runs for victory.
With Australian strike bowler Ty Hopes subbed out of the game with a hamstring strain, Teske and Lance Macdougall were selected by the South Africans to bowl Hopes’ two overs.
In a pulsating game of Indoor cricket Teske’s over of 2 for -7 proved to be the defining moment reducing the South Africans to 89 in reply to Australia’s 104.
Macdougall finished off the match with a final over of 1 for 6 leaving the home side 10 runs short of their target and bringing the small but vocal Australian crowd to their feet.
Coach Ross Gregory, while not satisfied with his team’s execution on the night, was full of praise for his team’s fighting spirit.
“Whilst we failed to convert our opportunities early on I always felt that if we could exert some pressure towards the end of the game our never say day attitude would prevail,” Gregory said.
In last night’s feature match the Australian Extreme women’s team were forced to fight hard to defeat a gallant South African side with the game going down to the last ball of the night.
Chasing Australia’s 108 the South Africans needed three runs to win off the final delivery but a fine run out from Melissa Mayers left the home side an agonising seven runs short.
After two days’ play the Australian squad – which includes teams in the men’s, ladies, 19 & under boys and 19 & under girls – remains undefeated.
Along with their victory over South Africa, the Extreme men’s team have notched victories against India, England and traditional trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand.
The Extreme women’s team has started its campaign strongly with victories against Wales, South Africa and England.
A similar story is playing out for the 19 & under boys who have enjoyed comprehensive victories against England, South Africa and the South Africa development squad.
Also undefeated after two days, the 19 & under girls have accounted for South Africa and England twice from their three games to date.
The action continues on day three with all four teams in action.
To check scores and follow the progress of Australia’s Indoor Cricket World Cup campaign, visit:World Indoor Cricket Federation
