Under-19s win after Rushton rescues innings

After being sent in to bat on a rainy day in Adelaide, Victoria lost three early wickets and needed a steadying partnership with the score at 3-44.

Sam Harper (36) was joined by Rushton in the middle, and the pair didn’t let the score contain the way they played.

They put on 55 quick runs together, Harper hitting six fours and Rushton finishing with 10 fours and two sixes in his 71.

With Rushton’s departure at 6-167, Victoria still had to some work to do to compile a competitive score.

Such is the depth of this Victorian team, the lower order immediately contributed, picking up where Rushton left of with positive and efficient batting.

Guy Walker (25 off 28), Ejaaz Alavi (20 off 29) and Jake Wood (24 off 15) finished the innings off brilliantly, lifting Victoria’s total to 9-249.

ACT/NSW Country began its run chase patiently, as opening pair Kevin Jacob (50) and Henry Hunt (33) simply refused to give their wicket away.

Victoria’s persistence finally paid off however, as skipper Ejaaz Alavi finally made the breakthrough with the score on 85.

Much like the trend of Victoria’s first match of the tournament, it only took this first wicket to turn the tables on the opposition.

Wickets again began to tumble at consistent intervals as every bowler that was called upon by Alavi did their job effectively.

Alavi himself was the major contributor as he led from the front, taking three vital wickets for 28 runs.

Guy Walker did a superb job after going wicket-less in his first spell, finishing with the economical figures of 2-22 of eight overs including three maidens.

Jake Wood (2-23) picked up the final wicket of the innings, capping off another remarkable turn around by Victoria’s bowlers as they took the last nine ACT/NSW Country wickets for just 88 runs.

All out for 184 (41.5), it was ACT/NSW Country’s second loss from two starts in the championships.

Victoria remains undefeated and sits second on the ladder behind NSW Metropolitan.

After a rest day today, the Vics will resume their campaign in a two-day game against Queensland starting tomorrow.