Round-up for the week ending 21 January: silverware for CJ

Chris Jordan added a Super Smash winner’s medal to his collection on Saturday after forming part of the Northern Districts Knights side that beat Central Districts Stags in the final of New Zealand’s T20 competition. CJ bowled three tidy overs for just 19 runs and took a catch as the Stags were restricted to just 99-8 from their 20 overs. He wasn’t required to bat as the Knights knocked off the runs in just 8.5 overs for the loss of a single wicket.

Over in the UAE, Stuart Whittingham has been in action for Scotland against Ireland and the UAE in a tri-nation one-day series. Against Ireland on Tuesday, Stuart made one at number eleven and bowled 7.5 wicketless overs for 44 runs as Scotland were defeated by six wickets.

In a much closer match against the same opposition on Thursday, Stuart impressed with figures of 3-58 from his ten overs as Ireland racked up 331-6 batting first. Scotland ultimately fell 25 runs short of victory, with Stuart unbeaten on three.

Scotland recorded their first win in the tournament on Sunday against the UAE. After being set 250 for victory, the UAE were dismissed for 218 with Stuart taking 2-35 from nine overs.

It was another busy week for our players in both the men’s and women’s Big Bash League. Jofra Archer and Tymal Mills took the field on three occasions for Hobart Hurricanes.

On Monday, the pair were in action against Brisbane Heat in Hobart. Jofra picked up 2-32 and Tymal 1-41 from their allotted overs as the Heat made 165-8. Neither were required to bat as the Hurricanes cruised to a six-wicket victory.

On Wednesday, the Hurricanes travelled to Adelaide to take on Jason Gillespie’s Strikers. Jofra’s 3-27 during the Strikers’ innings included a superb display of death bowling as he conceded just seven runs and took three wickets from his final two overs. In the first of those, he also orchestrated  an outrageous run out off his own bowling to remove the well-set Jake Weatherald at a crucial point in the innings. Tymal took 1-41 from his four overs. Chasing 188 for victory, the Hurricanes came up 12 runs short, with Jofra left unbeaten at the crease on four.

The Hurricanes made 167-5 batting first against the Scorchers in Perth on Saturday, with Jofra again not out, this time for three. Tymal was the Hurricanes’ most economical bowler during the Scorchers’ reply, taking 1-25 from his four overs, whilst Jofra took 1-31 from 3.2 overs. Another spellbinding run out, this time a direct hit from the boundary, had everyone talking about Jofra once again. Despite the Sussex pair’s efforts, the Scorchers won by five wickets in the final over.

At the time of writing, the Hurricanes are well-placed to qualify for the semi-finals. They sit in third place with one group game to play, against Melbourne Stars this Saturday.

After seven seasons with the franchise, Luke Wright played what turned out to be his final match for the Stars  against Sydney Sixers on Tuesday. Opening the batting, he made 11 off 13 balls as the Stars reached 128-7 from their 20 overs. The Sixers made light work of the chase, winning by eight wickets with just under five overs to spare. Luke was hit on the helmet during his innings, which ruled him out of the Stars remaining fixtures with concussion. It was then announced later in the week that Luke would be calling time on his playing days for the club.

Sussex’s representative for the Melbourne Stars Women, Georgia Elwiss, played two matches over the weekend. On Saturday, she made 18 off 21 balls and took 2-34 in a thrilling tie against the Melbourne Renegades Women. The Stars eventually took the points after a super-over.

On Sunday, against the Sydney Sixers Women, Georgia scored seven from 12 balls during the Stars’ innings of 106-7 and then took 1-27 from four overs as the Sixers chased the total with five wickets in hand.

Our weekly foray into the world of Australian club cricket starts in New South Wales. In the first grade competition, Ollie Robinson returned the superb figures of 3-24 off 15 overs as his St. George side dismissed Eastern Suburbs for 207 on Saturday. St George reached 78-2 in response, and will resume their innings next weekend with Ollie due in at number six.

In the second grade, Delray Rawlins made his first century for Sydney during their match against North Sydney. Delray’s 152 was the top-score in Sydney’s 358-5 declared. North Sydney closed day one on 23-3 and facing an uphill battle next weekend.

Abi Sakande took 2-40 as Mosman bowled Western Suburbs out for 208. Mosman will resume their innings next weekend on 97-2.

Over in South Australia, Michael Burgess and Phil Salt were in midweek action for Adelaide University CC on Tuesday evening. In the quarter finals of the West End Twenty20 Cup, AUCC restricted East Torrens to 109-4, before the Sussex pair put on 67 for the second wicket to lead their side to victory. Michael finished not out on 64 from 42 balls, while Phil was unbeaten on 29 from 20 deliveries.