Since 1965
Since 1965
Our boys played great cricket to carry off the Kingsgrove Sports T20 Cup at the SCG last night – the only competition that we had not previously won. Disciplined bowling and fielding ensured that we strangled the opposition batting in both matches, thus enabling comfortable run chases both times.
We batted second in all seven matches played and, apart from the second match against St.George, we showed great composure to chase the targets set. In particular, the run chases against Manly in the first match and Sydney in the quarter-final were magnificently paced. The fact that we only had three scores of 50 or more (with a highest score of 61), plus only seven partnerships of 50 or more, across the seven matches highlights how the run scoring was shared by all batsmen.
Steve Smith showed his obvious class throughout the competition. He was our outstanding batsman with 274 runs at 68.5, took 6 wickets at 29.5 and snared 4 catches. His captaincy at the SCG when Ben Dwarshuis was unavailable due to Sydney Sixers duties was a significant factor in our success. His vast T20 experience showed as he was able to maintain the pressure in both matches with bowling changes and field placements. His enthusiasm to embrace the club scene once again in unusual circumstances has been obvious to all. It was a fitting reward for Smithy to accept the T20 Cup in his first premiership success with the Club!
The bowling was dominated by Daniel Fallins with 15 wickets at an average of 10.2 and an economy rate of 5.5. All other bowlers chipped in with wickets when required.
Summary of matches:
Rd 1 – Sutherland 6/189 off 19.1 overs d. Manly 4/188 off 20 overs
Rd 2 – Sutherland 10/120 off 17.2 overs lost to St.George 8/175 off 20 overs
Rd 3 – Sutherland 1/119 off 16 overs d. North Sydney 7/118 off 20 overs
Rd 4 – Sutherland 1/125 off 15.1 overs d. Eastern Suburbs 6/124 off 20 overs
Q-F – Sutherland 6/199 off 19.4 overs d. Sydney 5/198 off 20 overs
S-F – Sutherland 4/116 off 18 overs d. St.George 8/112 off 20 overs
Final – Sutherland 5/123 off 14.4 overs d. Sydney University 10/122 off 20 overs
Records achieved:
Steve Smith – most runs in a T20 season with 274 (previous Steve Cush 220 in 2011-12).
Daniel Fallins – most wickets in a T20 season with 15 (previous Tim Freeburn & Louis Talay 9 in 2008-09).
Tom Doyle & Austin Waugh – equalled most catches in a T20 season with 6 (joining Luke Dudman 2012-13 & Peter Saroukos 2017-18).
Steve Smith & Chris Williams – 5th wicket partnership record with 63 vs Sydney (previous Steve Smith & Jason Holley 61* in 2008-09).
National Premier Cricket T20 Championships
By virtue of winning the Sixers Conference Final, we earned the right to participate in the inaugural National Premier Cricket T20 Championships, to be held in Adelaide on 5-6 March 2019. There will be 10 teams participating – two each from NSW & Victoria and one from each of the other states & territories.
The tournament will see each team play two qualifying matches on 5 March, followed by semi-finals on the morning of 6 March, and the Final commencing at 2.30pm on 6 March. Further details will be advised in due course.
