U-19s finish on a high

With its title defence falling by the wayside after successive losses to Queensland and Western Australia, who finished first and second respectively, the Victorians dusted themselves off to claim wins in yesterday’s Twenty20 component against Tasmania and ACT.

After restricting Tasmania to 4-140 on a postage stamp in their penultimate match, they overhauled the target with five wickets in hand and 22 balls to spare.

Jack Paynter claimed 2-15 from his three overs, while left-arm spinner Ashton Agar snared 2-28 after opening the bowling.

Gloveman Josh McDonald then got Victoria off to a flyer, dominating a 33-run opening wicket stand with Seb Gotch, before falling for 29.

Gotch, who finished the tournament with 228 runs at 32.57, top-scored with 46, while Matthew Begbie registered his highest score of the carnival with 43.

During the afternoon session, the Vics were just as emphatic, as their spinners annihilated the ACT batting order to rout them for just 81.

Agar again starred, claiming 4-11 from his four overs, while skipper Meyrick Buchanan snared 1-13 and leg-spinner James Muirhead 2-17 from their full allocations.

Dom McGlinchey needed just nine balls to share in the fun as he finished with 2-6.

Victoria then overhauled the total after 13.3 overs, finishing at 6-82 as Buchanan (24) and Gotch (15) all but steered them to victory chasing bonus points.

Following the conclusion of the Under-19 National Championships, Buchanan and Murihead were both named in the team of the carnival, while South Australia’s Travis Head was named player of the tournament.

“We didn’t deserve to finish any higher than third,” Victorian coach Shawn Flegler said.

“Overall, we’re a little bit disappointed with the way we played in the two-day games.

“We saw some good performances from a couple of guys who put their hand up, Buchanan and Muirhead, were the two who stood out.

“Seb (Gotch) got amongst the runs in the first week and big Matt Willcocks has impressed some people with the way he’s bowled, he’s certainly been a find.

 “(All in all) it was a good learning curve for all the guys.”

Victoria also claimed the spirit of cricket award.

Buchanan, whose older brother Liam was named player of tournament in 1999-2000, finished with 295 runs at 42.14 to finish fourth on the run scorers’ list and 10 wickets at 17.9.

Muirhead finished equal third on the wicket-takers ladder with 16 at 22.06, including two five-wicket hauls, as well as 108 runs at 36.

Click here for full results from the Under-19 National Championships in Adelaide.