Final thriller full of spirit

EV2 Cricket are the inaugural winners of the Spirit of Cricket Twenty20 Australasian conference following a roller-coaster final on Monday.

In a game full of momentum swings it was the second-placed team who knocked off the ladder leaders Team Thunder by just four runs at Mildura Senior College.

It was a frenetic game where tight bowling and outstanding fielding played as much of a role as batting, marking a superb end to the over-50 veterans’ cricket tournament developed by former Mildura man Anthony Telfer.

EV2 captain Andrew Kratzman, who had also played for Australia in the veterans’ tri-series in Mildura prior, said it was a great way end the campaign.

“Holy smokes, it’s been a long two and a half weeks here in Mildura and what a way to finish it, that was amazing.

“(We) just pulled them back a bit in the middle there, they were going pretty well at the start and we pulled them back a little bit and held on until the end.

“What a great way to finish a carnival with everyone watching.”

Despite the final loss, Thunder captain Matt Lewis said the tournament was fantastic to be part of.

“I’m proud of my boys, we gave a good account of ourselves all week, became mates for life, we’ve had great supporters. EV2 were just too good today and they deserve the spoils.

“This week has represented a place where people can put their hard stuff behind them and focus on something else, but we’re tremendously thankful to ‘Telf’ and the committee for putting on such a great tournament.

“The build up to it was really exciting and it’s been something quite different … we’ve all had a wonderful time.”

EV2 batted first and finished their 20 overs 8/143.

Grant Nelson was the fist wicket to fall after a quickfire 24 from 16 balls, sharing a 45-run opening stand with Ashley Sippel, who would go on to top score with 35 from 28 deliveries.

Skipper Andrew Kratzman played well with 31 off 30.

With about five overs to go EV2 were in a solid position at 5/114 when vice-captain Damien Meek, who was not out on 11, was forced to retire hurt due to a slight dislocation of his kneecap.

Thankfully he was able to walk off on his own steam but the run rate dropped from that point, with Thunder’s Mitch Woods claiming 3-27, Simon Neich 2-31 and Gerard Wyeth 2-33.

After a solid start Team Thunder were held down by a flurry of late wickets and, despite a six from the final delivery, they fell just short on 7/139.

Russell Ingram top scored with 36 off 42, Wyeth made 32 from 19 and Neich 20 from 13.

Mark Little took 3/13 while Sippel (2/20) and John Short (2/24) were also solid with the ball.

Through the seven pool matches prior to the final, Neich finished as top scorer with 289 runs at 96.33, followed by Sandgropers’ Jamie Lee on 269.

Sandgropers’ Johnny Budalich led the wicket taking with 14 scalps, ahead of Short from EV2 Cricket with 11.