The Blain Game

A point clear at the top of the standings, Victoria, which went winless during last year’s campaign, cantered to a 128-run victory over Northern Territory after accounting for ACT on day one.

Having won the toss and elected to bat, Victoria’s total of 7-248 was built on the back of a 73-run opening wicket stand between Matt Short (33) and Liam Banthorpe (36).

Short’s departure sparked a collapse of 3-18 as Guy Walker came and went without scoring before Banthorpe joined his opening partner in the sheds.

Skipper Pat McKenna (47) came to the rescue, however, partnering Jack Blain (68) to a 106-run stand to re-establish a platform for a flurry at the death.

McKenna struck just two boundaries during his 73-ball stay in the middle, anchoring Blain who crunched six of his own in just over two hours.

A run-a-ball 19 not out from Taylor Tatterson bolstering the total down the stretch.

“They played really well again,” Victorian coach Graham Rummans said.

“They’ve shown pretty good cricket awareness…250 was a pretty good score on that wicket.

“The big test comes against New South Wales in round three and then Queensland in the next two-dayer, but they should go in with condifence.”

Blain could not be kept out of the action in the field as he engineered the first wicket of the Northern Territory’s innings courtesy of a run out.

Twin strikes from Matthew Bullen (2-21) reduced the Territorians to 3-30 and the wickets continued to tumble throughout the afternoon as Walker (3-16) and Jake Wood (2-14) got in on the action.

Luke Ford (1-16) and Jack Baker (1-13) finished the day with tidy returns, with Victorian poised to play its first two-day match of the carnival against New South Wales in round three.

To see full results from Under-17 National Championships, click here.

Image courtesy of Sue Baker.