Round-up for the week ending 28 January: Jof and Tymal into Big Bash semis

Amongst all the noise of the IPL auction, you’d have been forgiven for forgetting that Jofra Archer and Tymal Mills were still involved in Australia’s Big Bash. Saturday saw the pair involved in Hobart Hurricanes’ final match of the league stage against Melbourne Stars. Batting first, the Hurricanes made 185-7 from their 20 overs. Jofra chipped in at the end with an all-run seven from three deliveries. During the Stars’ reply, Jofra took 0-35 and Tymal 2-56. Despite his expensive figures, Tymal did take the key wicket of Kevin Pietersen in his final Big Bash appearance with a brilliant caught and bowled. The Stars ultimately recorded a three-wicket win, meaning there was a nervous wait for the Hurricanes to see if they had secured a semi-final place. Thanks to Melbourne Renegades victory over Brisbane Heat later in the evening, the Hurricanes sneaked into the last four and will take on Perth Scorchers on Thursday.

In the Women’s Big Bash, Georgia Elwiss concluded her campaign for the Melbourne Stars with two home fixtures against Hobart Hurricanes over the weekend. On Saturday, she took 0-28 and scored 28 from 34 balls at number three, as the Stars recorded a seven wicket win. The Hurricanes got their revenge with a thrilling two-run victory on Sunday, with Georgia taking 2-25 and scoring 13 of 18 balls. The Stars finished the group stage in seventh position, and so will not take part in this week’s semi-finals.

In South Australia Premier Cricket, Michael Burgess and Phil Salt were in the Adelaide University CC team for day one of their first grade match against East Torrens on Saturday. Michael took a catch at the wicket as East Torrens were dismissed for 159. AUCC reached 166-3 at the close, with Phil making 16 at the top of the order and Michael 24 from number four. The second day of the match takes place next Saturday. Before then, the Sussex pair will be in action in the state Twenty20 Cup semi-final on Tuesday.

On day two of St George’s New South Wales Premier Cricket first grade match against Eastern Suburbs, Ollie Robinson smashed 17 not out from five balls. That helped his side to 302-5 declared, giving them a 95-run first innings victory. Ollie took 1-12 from six overs during Eastern Suburbs second innings, which had reached 56-3 when the match came to its end.

In the second grade, Abi Sakande made six batting at number eight for Mosman on day two of their match against Western Suburbs. Mosman declared on 269-8, giving them a 61-run first innings victory. Abi didn’t bowl during Eastern Suburbs’ second innings, which had reached 104-1 at the end of the match.

Following on from his 152 on day one the previous weekend, Delray Rawlins took 1-20 from five overs for Sydney on Saturday as North Sydney were bowled out for 139 to hand Sydney a thumping first innings win. North Sydney followed on as Sydney pushed for an outright win. They finished on 99-4, Delray bowling two wicketless overs for 14 runs.

In South Africa, David Wiese was in action for Titans in their Momentum One-Day Cup match against Dolphins on Friday. David was not out for nought at the end of the Titans’ rain-affected innings of 269-6 off 48.2 overs. He opened the bowling and took 1-33 as Dolphins chased down a revised target with four wickets in hand. Despite the defeat, Titans topped the group and will now play a home semi-final against Warriors on Tuesday.