Vics off to a flyer

For the first time in the tournament’s history, Victoria defeated New South Wales in a Twenty20 match and then followed it up with a 16-run win against South Australia.

Facing NSW in their first match, the Victorians were sent into bat with Woori Yallock’s Daniel Mock (5) and Ormond’s Rohan Wight (19) opening the batting.

After losing both openers, captain Ben Abbatangelo (33), who was coming off a century in Bartercard Premier Cricket, combined with Essendon’s Fletcher Stewart (35 off 25) for an important partnership to take the Victorian total to 5-115.

In reply NSW lost opener Damien Duroux (6) early, however, Brendan Smith (42) and Andrew Glover (28) steadied the ship taking NSW to a comfortable position at the midway point of their innings.

Restrictive bowling from Wurruk’s Bohdi Walker (3-23) and contributions from Lara’s Brenden Miller (1-8), Abbatangelo (1-9) and Stewart (1-25) restricted NSW to 7-103, giving Victoria their first Imparja Cup T20 win against their arch-rivals.

North Dandenong’s Clayton McCartney also made a stunning return to the Imparja Cup as Victoria’s wicket-keeper, taking 3 catches, a stumping and a run out.

In their second game of the day, Victoria won the toss and elected to bat against South Australia under lights at Traeger Park.

Mock (12) and Wight (12) got the scoreboard ticking; however, it was a 43-run partnership from Greenvale Kangaroos’ Alex Kerr (19) and McCartney (39 off 35) that steered the Victorians to a total of 5-124.

A potent Victorian attack again took the Victorians to victory with Melbourne Stars Community Rookie Josh Eaton snaring 3-16.

Abbatangelo (2-20), Miller (2-10) and Warrenbayne’s Wade King, who was on debut, also chipped in with a couple each.

Victoria will next face Northern Territory this afternoon.

To see a full scorecard, click here.