Jofra Mania! Round-up for the week ending 7th January

Jofra Archer mania reached epidemic proportions last week after another spectacular performance for the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash on Thursday. With the Hurricanes defending 183 against Adelaide Strikers in Hobart, Jofra struck in his first and third overs, before combining with D’Arcy Short for a stunning relay catch on the boundary to dismiss dangerman Colin Ingram on 66. Having conceded just ten runs from his first three overs, Jofra was entrusted with the final over with the Strikers needing 13 to win. He struck immediately, removing Jake Lehmann with the first ball, then induced a play and miss which led to a run out leaving the strikers requiring 13 off the final four deliveries. They got nowhere near as Jofra conceded just five more runs to end with figures of 3-15 from four overs and secure a thrilling seven run win for the Hurricanes.

Tymal Mills also played his part in the victory. He was the bowler for Ingram’s dismissal, and with the Glamorgan-man looking like playing a match-winning innings it was a crucial wicket. Tymal ended with 1-41 from his four overs.

Both Jofra and Tymal were also in action for the Hurricanes earlier in the week. On New Year’s Day, the Hurricanes were victorious against Sydney Thunder in their own back yard. Tymal took 1-46 and Jofra 2-42 and a catch as the visitors recorded a nine-run win.

Elsewhere in the Big Bash, Luke Wright made 19 off 21 and 12 off 13 for Melbourne Stars in their defeats to Brisbane Heat and Melbourne Renegades on Tuesday and Saturday.

In the women’s Big Bash, Georgia Elwiss had an excellent couple of days from a personal point of view for Melbourne Stars at the end of last week. On Friday, she took 2-22 during the Stars’ 22 run defeat against Adelaide Strikers. Then, on Saturday, Georgia bowled four tidy overs for 27 runs and made a match-winning 59 not out as the Stars cruised to a seven wicket win against the Renegades in the Melbourne derby.

The resumption of Australian club cricket after the Christmas break saw four Sussex players return to action on the weekend. In New South Wales, Ollie Robinson bowled ten overs for 54 runs and hit a quickfire 25 off 18 balls for St. George as they lost to Sydney University by 19 runs in the first grade one-day competition. Despite the defeat, St. George have qualified for the quarter finals of the competition which take place at the end of the month.

With Kent’s Joe Denly drafted into the first team ahead of his Big Bash spell, Delray Rawlins played for Sydney’s second grade side against Parramatta on Saturday. He was dismissed for 11 as Sydney made 239-9 from their 50 overs but took 2-20 in ten excellent overs as Parramatta were restricted to just 163-8.

Also playing second grade, Abi Sakande took 1-49 from his ten overs for Mosman in their four-wicket victory against Eastern Suburbs.

In South Australia, Michael Burgess’ Adelaide University were in two-day first grade action against Glenelg over the weekend. Michael was caught for nought, but did contribute behind the stumps, taking a catch and not conceding a bye. Glenelg ran out winners by five wickets, however.

In South Africa, David Wiese played twice for Titans in the Momentum One-Day Cup. Against the Lions in Johannesburg on Wednesday, David hit 17 off 24 balls at number seven as Titans were dismissed for 264. In the Lions’ innings, David opened the bowling, took 0-32 and a catch as Titans won by 32 runs. On Friday, Titans took on Cape Cobras at Centurion. David made 10 as Titans set the Cobras 213 to win. He bowled three overs for 16 runs during the reply, with the Cobras eventually winning by four wickets. Despite the defeat, David’s Lions are currently top of the table.

Finally, for this bumper edition of Winter Watch, we head to New Zealand where Chris Jordan continued his stint with Northern Districts Knights in the Super Smash. On Tuesday, Chris took 2-28 from his four overs and took a catch as Otago Volts reached 156-8 from their 20 overs. He wasn’t required with to bat, as the Knights cruised to a nine wicket win with four overs remaining. The Knights’ fixture with Canterbury Kings on Friday was washed out, but on Sunday Chris was the Knights’ most economical bowler taking 0-29 as Auckland Aces made 202-5. Once again, Chris didn’t have to bat as his side made light work of the chase, knocking off their target with six wickets and 19 balls to spare. That was the Knights’ third successive victory and puts them top of the table.