MALLEE Murray Suns are headed for the final of the Under 16 Boys Cricket Victoria Country Cup.
The Suns, which includes players from Sunraysia clubs, put on a clinic in Hamilton this week by winning all four games in their pool to qualify for next Friday’s final in Greenvale.
Junior representative cricket around the state has undergone a revamp in a bid to promote more young players into the highest levels, with the Country Cup for Under 16 Boys and Under 15 Girls a major part of the change for regional centres.
The first game on Tuesday resulted in a 35-run victory over Central Highlanders.
The Suns reached 4/138 from their 20 overs, led by an impressive 112-run partnership from Max Thompson (61) and Colby Marr (49).
Despite some early partnerships, Highlanders were restricted to 8/103, Josh Driscoll the best of the bowlers with 3/18.
Next came a pulsating two-run victory over Western Waves.
Requiring 13 runs with three overs remaining, the Waves were in the box seat, however, brilliant overs from Driscoll, Thompson and Beau Kiel, who took two wickets in the closing over, saw them take the win.
Marr top scored for the Suns with 25 during their innings of 8/108, while Harvy Vandenberg (3/11) and Kiel (3/25) had the best bowling figures.
Wednesday’s contest against Highlanders resulted in a solid 65-run win with Thompson leading the charge as an all-rounder.
He smashed 84 and Marr added another 30 as Suns were all out for 176, before taking 2/8 to help dismiss central for 111.
Driscoll (2/5) and Vandenberg (2/8) were also superb with the ball.
Kiel’s superb bowling, and Thompson and Marr’s batting again led the charge in game four as the Suns held on for a tight 12-run win over the Waves.
Thompson finished with 64 and Marr 24, the duo sharing a 74-run partnership, as Mallee Murray finished their 30 overs at 6/153.
Kiel’s impressive 4/28 helped hold the Waves to 141 during the run chase.
Mallee Murray’s Under 15 Girls team begin their series on Monday.
