The U17 National Championships kicked off in Hobart yesterday with the country’s best young cricketers looking to stake their claim on the national stage as future stars.

Defending U17 champions NSW started off their 2012 campaign with a strong win, while Round One honours also went to Northern Territory, Queensland and Victoria.

Round One – NSW (9/177) def Tasmania (83 all out)
NSW won the toss and began with a solid opening partnership of 46, but three quick wickets to Tasmania saw them slump to 3/60. NSW eventually managed to post 9/177 as captain Jake Doran (31) led the batting recovery, aided by tail-ender Daniel Fallins (27 not out from 29 balls). Tasmania’s medium pacers did the damage, with Ben Fraser (3-23 off 8 overs) and Corey Murfet (2-29 off 8 overs) the pick of the bunch.

Given the slowish outfield, NSW’s total proved to be too much for Tasmania. A middle order collapse meant that the Tassie boys were never in the hunt. Opener Corey Murfet (23) was only the highlight for Tasmania as they slumped to be all out for 83. NSW pace bowler Ayden Brown (3-22 off 6 overs) was the best of the NSW bowlers, while Daniel Fallins (2-8 off 6 overs) and opener Kyle Brockley (2-22 off 5.3 overs) also chipped in.

Round One – Northern Territory (9/201) def Western Australia (7/200)
A thrilling match saw Northern Territory defeat WA by one run yesterday. NT batted first and managed to post a defendable total after a few top-order wobbles. Jayden Dick (46), William Anstey (48) and Lachlan Griffiths (34 from 31 balls) batted well against a fiery bowling display from WA opening bowler Bevan Bennell (5-14 off 10 overs).

In a nail-biting chase, the WA boys ended heartbreakingly short, losing by one run on the last ball of the day. Jaron Morgan (103) was outstanding for WA, but the loss of two crucial wickets in the last over of the day meant that WA missed out. Jayden Dick (2-18 off 4 overs) and Lachlan Griffiths (2-43 off 10 overs) followed up their efforts with the bat to be the standout bowlers for the NT team.

Round One – Queensland (1/106) def South Australia (103 all out)
After electing to bat, South Australia lost wickets consecutively throughout the innings and were never able to build partnerships. Poor running between wickets resulted in three run-outs, while Queensland shared the wickets around in an impressive bowling display. Patrick Page (30) and Daniel Drew (36 not out) were the only batsmen to reach double figures in the South Australian innings.

The Queenslanders made light work of the easy run chase and reached the total only one wicket down. An opening partnership of 65 between Nick Selman (37) & Matthew Renshaw (44 not out) set up the chase and meant that Queensland claimed the win as well as the bonus points on offer.

Round One – Victoria (9/222) def ACT (146 all out)
Victoria did a great job of building consecutive partnerships after losing their openers cheaply, led by Patrick McKenna (47), to post 9/222 off their 50 overs. Lower order batsmen Taylor Tatterson scored a handy 38 not out from 44 balls, while Guy Gillespie (4-47 off 10 overs) and left arm spinner Alex Page (3-25 off 10 overs) put in solid efforts with the ball.

ACT lost early wickets too, but were never able to steer their innings back on track like the Victorians did earlier.  Many ACT players got starts (seven players reached double figures), but no one was able to push on, which meant they never really posed a threat to Victoria’s total. The wickets were spread for Victoria with Kieran Elliot (2-27 off 5 overs), Guy Walker (2-9 off 5 overs) and Jack Baker (2-24 off 6 overs) all taking two each.

First Posted 11 December, 2012 10:38AM AEST

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