UPDATE: In a breathtaking finish, Newport-Digman pulled off a stunning victory against St Albans in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association T20 competition, clinching the win on the final ball of the match. This thrilling encounter took place earlier today, July 11, 2023, and is already being hailed as one of the most dramatic finishes in recent cricket history.
The match unfolded dramatically as Newport-Digman, batting first, set a target of 119 runs. Christopher Campbell led the charge with a solid 28 runs, while St Albans’ Akila Isanka showcased his bowling skills, claiming 4 wickets for just 18 runs. When it came to the chase, the Saints appeared in control at 4-116. However, a shocking collapse saw them lose an astonishing 6 wickets for just 4 runs, resulting in their dismissal for 118 runs on the very last ball. Michael Formosa emerged as the star bowler for Newport-Digman, taking 6 wickets for 15 runs.
In other matches today, Deer Park narrowly defeated Altona North in another nail-biter. Altona North batted first, posting 116 runs, with Stanley Mcalidon top scoring with 54 runs. Despite looking in control at 2-89, Deer Park faced a late-game scare before ultimately finishing at 7-119 with five balls remaining.
Grand United also secured a win, edging past Sunshine United. Batting first, Sunshine managed 103 runs, while Tiam Afsar’s 20 runs were not enough to save the Tigers. The Gorillas chased down the target, finishing at 104 runs in the last over, with Will Rhodes leading the way with another 20 runs.
In Group A1, PEGS maintained their winning streak with a decisive victory over West Coburg St Andrews. They set a formidable target of 198 runs, bolstered by Nilanka Rukshitha’s explosive 64 runs. The Redbacks fought back but fell short at 186 runs, with Shakeem Clarke taking 2 wickets for PEGS.
Druids celebrated their first win in the tournament against Keilor, achieving a total of 126 runs. Ashen Perera contributed 26 runs, and despite Keilor’s promising start, they ended at 118 runs, just shy of victory. Noah Panala was the standout for Keilor, scoring 47 runs.
Meanwhile, in Group A4, Sunshine stunned Yarraville Club, finishing with 145 runs. Avishka Chenuka was pivotal, scoring 46 runs. The Clubbers, despite Viraj Lakshitha’s valiant 53 runs, could only manage 132 runs in reply.
Westmeadows triumphed against Oak Park St Francis de Sales, restricting the Saints to 107 runs before chasing down the target with an over to spare, finishing at 112 runs. Captain Donovan Pell top scored with 27 runs.
Sunbury recorded their first win against Footscray United, bowling them out for a mere 69 runs. Jack McGann’s remarkable bowling performance, which included 4 wickets, led the Roar to an easy chase of 73 runs.
As the tournament progresses, fans are eagerly anticipating the next matches, especially after today’s action-packed games. With teams vying for top spots, cricket enthusiasts should stay tuned for all the latest updates and results. The competition is heating up, and every match is proving crucial in this thrilling T20 season.
