Dominant performances from Queensland, WA, Victoria and NSW marked day two of the U17 National Championship in Hobart yesterday.
There were no close contests in Round Two, as the four winners romped home to end the one-day component of the competition. Round Three gets underway on Thursday and sees the start of the tournament’s two-day matches.
Round Two – Queensland (0/145) def Tasmania (144 all out)
Queensland’s complete display of dominance yesterday heralded them as the team to beat at this year’s U17 Championship.
Unfortunately, the toss was the only thing Tasmania won against Queensland. Caleb Jewell (22) and Jordan Willoughby (21) were the only two Tasmanian batters to put up any real resistance as wickets fell continuously throughout their innings.
The two QLD opening bowlers Nathan Lyons (3-37 off 10 overs) and Trent Arnold (2-25 off 6.5 overs) did the damage early while spinner Sam Heazlett (3-15 off 10 overs) ended up with the best figures for the day.
QLD made light work of the chase as openers Nick Selman (55 not out) and Matthew Renshaw (79 not out) steered their team to victory with a 145-run opening partnership.
Round Two – Western Australia (4/199) def ACT (193 all out)
ACT got off to a shaky start yesterday as Western Australia took early wickets, but some solid partnerships got them back on track.
Shae Darcy (31) and Tylar Edwards (35) were the standout bats for ACT, while WA bowlers Jarryd McPhee (2-42 off 9.2 overs) and Bevan Bennell (3-45 off 9 overs) led the attack for WA.
ACT went on to post a respectable total, but WA chased it down easily with 13.1 overs to spare. A 104-run 4th wicket partnership was the key for WA as captain Cameron Steel (61 not out) continued his impressive start to the tournament, ably supported by Jake Carder (66).
ACT opener bowler Guy Gillespie (2-45 off 10 overs) was the only multiple wicket-taker for his team.
Round Two – Victoria (7/248) def Northern Territory (120 all out)
A 73-run opening partnership and a 106-run 4th wicket partnership was the key to Victoria’s big 7/248 total.
Ringwood star bat Jack Blain (68) and captain Patrick McKenna (43) led the batting charge as the NT bowlers all took a bit of stick. The best of the WA bowlers were Jayden Dick (3-32 off 6 overs) and Lachlan Griffiths (2-54 off 10 overs).
The loss of early wickets (3-30) meant that the NT boys were always going to struggle in the run chase and only Jake Weatherald (21) managed to get a start for NT.
The quicks did the damage for Victoria with Guy Walker (3-16 off 4 overs) & Jake Wood (2-14 off 8.2 overs) the key bowlers.
Round Two – NSW (6/285) def South Australia (231 all out)
The South Australian boys must have been ruing their decision to field first yesterday as the NSW team piled on the runs to make an impressive 6/285 from their 50 overs.
An outstanding knock from opener Daniel Arahu (119) was the key to NSW’s innings. Arahu was ably supported by Thomas Jagot (48) as the South Australian boys chased a fair bit of leather. In the end, Ravi Baltutis (3/48) was South Australia’s only multiple wicket-taker.
South Australia got off to a fantastic start with a 172-run opening partnership thanks to Hayden Mullins (107) and Connor McLean (65). But once NSW snared their first wicket, South Australia collapsed and lost their remaining 9 wickets for less than 60 runs.
James Shepherd (3-39 off 9 overs ) and Ben Chapman (2-41 off 10 overs) were the best of the NSW bowlers, while SA’s running between wickets was yet again a concern with another three run outs.
First Posted 12 December, 2012 11:28AM AEST
