Warehouse v Logan Districts
Plunkett Cup 2022-23 - Final
Sunday 19 February 2023 at Paul Jackson Oval
After the dramatic tie of 29 January, these two teams found themselves battling it out again at the same venue in the 2022-23 Plunkett Cup Final. Jackson Larkins won the toss (again) and chose to bat (again); knowing how important runs-on-the-board are in a final.
Warehouse bowling was tight early with Elijah Rafter and Rhys Bennett disturbing the stumps in overs four and five, then a stunning running catch to keeper, Zac Dann, off Bennett to make it 3/14 after seven overs. Lance Newman and Trent Spring dug in over the next 8 overs before Spring chopped one on in Stevo Rees’ second over; Logan 4/35 at Drinks.
Lance Newman once again proved a thorn in the Warehouse side, partnering with Matt Bailey in an important 57 run partnership that took Logan to the end of the 29th. Then, in Fabian Roberts’ third over, with the score on 87 - “the devil’s number” 😈 - Newman was caught by Rafter at slip and Bailey fell two balls later, caught behind by Dann. It could’ve all fallen to pieces there, but Laeka Daure and James McLure had other ideas taking 54 from the next ten overs in a combination of fine ball striking and excellent running between wickets. Daure was eventually out in the 40th cutting David Humphrey into the safe hands of Thienu Chandrasekaram behind point. A couple of overs later, Ryan Carroll trapped McLure in front then, had Jackson Larkins beautifully caught behind by Dann to make it 9/154 from 43.1. Once again Logan showed their metal with youngsters, Caleb Szegfu and Hayden Sheppard adding a run-a-ball 36 to guide their team to an unlikely 190 before skipper Rees cleaned up Szegfu with the 3rd ball of the last.
Needing 3.82 per over, the Warehouse openers found the going tough against some quality opening bowling by Jackson Larkins and James Tau. By the end of the powerplay, the required run rate had climbed to 4.20 per over and by drinks to 4.52. Runs flowed immediately after drinks as Krishna Sholapurwala clubbed four boundaries in the 18th over and together with Jonah Graham added 44 from 59 balls for the 3rd wicket. Jonah Graham could not believe his eyes in the 22nd when a bizarre long hop by Tom Jellie crashed into the stumps to make it 3/72. Four overs later, Jellie picked up a second when Krishna top-edged for Larkins to take a catch; 4/81.
Luke Ronday and Rhys Bennett added 41 from the next 50 balls and seemed to be cruising. An injury to Jackson Larkins mid-over in the 34th, seemed to halt that momentum. Caleb Szegfu and James McLure were re-introduced into the attack and the runs dried up. Just 8 runs came from the next 25 balls before Bennett edged Szegfu to Zac Dale in the 38th. Warehouse were 5/127, needing 5.33 per over to win when the dangerous Thienu Chandrasekaram joined Ronday. Together - as they had done three weeks earlier - the pair began to breathe life back into the innings. However, Thienu’s stay was cut short when Corbin Kaminski took a good catch at cover off Szegfu, with 43 runs needed and 8 overs to go. Another thrilling finish beckoned!
Tom Jellie had been denied with the bat, but he had performed with the ball and was on hand again in the next over when Ronday attempted a wild and woolly “hoik” and was bowled; 7/149. Having only just got to the crease himself, David Humphrey was joined by The Dread Pirate (Fabian) Roberts (viz. The Princess Bride). How is it that Fabian finds himself at the crease in these moments? Humphrey rose to the occasion, taking calculated risks while Roberts rotated the strike. Their 34 run partnership brought the chase to within eight runs of victory, before an edge to keeper Dale off Hayden Sheppard saw Roberts on his way with 9 balls to go.
A single to Rees and a boundary to Humphrey off the last ball of the 49th took the score to 188; 3 runs to get.
A single to Rees, then a leg bye to Humphrey and scores were level. Four balls to go. A scorcher by James McLure and Rees’ stumps all over the place. three balls to go; one wicket left. NO WAY!
WAY! An edge by Rafter, a fumble, a catch by Dale. A TIE. Two in three weeks. 421 runs each. 600 balls each. 38 Wickets…….
Unfortunately, there has to be a winner and the Plunkett Cup was claimed by Warehouse by virtue of a better net run rate.
Caleb Szegfu was deservedly named Player of the Match.
A big Thank You to Pine Rivers Cricket Club for their wonderful hospitality and a huge congratulations to both teams who were amazing ambassadors for their sides and for cricket. Many friends have been made and these matches will be talked about for a long time.
Truly a privilege to be a part of both these matches. Statzman Out!
