Western Australia has completed a nine-wicket victory over Northern Territory in Game 1 of the Under-17 National Cricket Championships being held in Launceston, Tasmania.
After WA won the toss and elected to bowl in favorable conditions, the NT side lost wickets regularly from the outset – and despite the best efforts of middle-order batters Neel Patel (20 off 44), Darwin’s Ralph Stephens (10 off 54) and Tracy Village’s Tye Beer (12 off 20) – the NT side was never able to halt WA’s momentum as they reached 9-69.
A dogged last wicket partnership between Darwin’s Harry Dixon (11 off 52) and Nightcliff’s Riley Suter (17* off 45) helped NT reach a total of 97 from 47.3 overs.
Right arm fast bowlers Riley Clayton (4-14 from 7.3 overs) and Isaac Diamanti (1-8 from 6 overs) did the damage for WA with their high pace and consistent lines.
In response, a quickfire 66-run opening stand removed any chance of a NT comeback, despite some consistent bowling from Waratah’s Mithuru Perera (0/17) and Rehaan Shyamsundar (1/10).
There were some positives in the NT's performance despite the first-round loss, with Head Coach Greg Turner highlighting the determination and grit shown by several batters.
"We showed we can bat right down to No.11 with what we think is a good batting lineup, and as the tournament progresses, we are confident we will continue to improve as a team”.
Game 2 for the NT is against the Australian Capital Territory in a 50-over match on Friday.
Scoreboard _ Game 1: WA 1-100 (D Ratter 36no, V Morendage 30, R Shyamsundar 1-10) d Northern Territory 97 (N Patel 20, R Suter 17, T Beer 12, H Dixon 11, R Clayton 4-14) by 9 wickets at Launceston.