http://premier.qld.cricket.com.au/pageitem.aspx?id=147337&id2=1&eID=12832&entityID=12832 South Brisbane have overcome a formidable Valleys contingent to claim a nail-biting two wicket win at Peter Easton Oval. Faced with the likes of Test star Usman Khawaja and fellow Queensland Bulls squad members Jack Wildermuth, Luke Feldman, Mark Steketee and Lachlan Pfeffer the visitors rallied and changed the direction of the match at various stages for a gutsy second win of the season. An inspired all-round effort from captain Ben Cutting along with a great day-out from Callum Taylor laid the platform for Souths as their opposition were punished for failing to capitalise in strong positions with the bat and ball. Set 226 for victory Souths initially struggled to pressure the Valley’s attack.
As scoring became difficult to do freely, the wickets soon followed as the top-order stumbled to 3/61 before Cutting took charge. Joining Jamie Eccles (42) at the crease, the former Australian one-day and T20 international showcased his imposing prowess with the willow as he dispatched the Valleys lineup to all parts in reaching his half-century. His innings of 63 (55) included nine 4’s and two maximums before his exit left Souths in a tough situation as the run-chase began to narrow. However a valiant counterpunch from Callum Taylor shifted the momentum again. At 6/180 inside the final ten overs, Taylor’s unbeaten 36 guided Souths home in a high-quality contest between the two teams. With three 4’s and a six it was his ability to score regularly that ultimately kept the match alive with the winning run coming in the final over. Earlier the hosts struggled to build consistent partnerships after losing the tossing and being sent in to bat. The high-flying Khawaja - who returned to club cricket last week with scores of 79 and 162 - was the first to be dismissed after the classy left-hander was knocked over by state teammate Cutting - the first of two breakthroughs to kickstart his matching-winning outing. Khawaja was soon joined in the sheds by Wildermuth (3) and in-form captain Andrew Gode (0). Limping at 4/59 it was middle-order batsman Craig McElligott who restored Valleys pursuit of a competitive total. His measured 77 off 90 deliveries - with eight boundaries including one six - elevated his side’s prospects before some late fireworks from Steketee (29 not out off 22 balls) saw the target surge passed 200, setting up for an intriguing second innings. Valleys 8/225 (C McElligott 77, L Pfeffer 41, M Steketee 29*; C Taylor 2/27, B Cutting 2/41) def. by Souths Brisbane 8/226 (B Cutting 63, J Eccles 42, C Taylor 36*; J Dascombe 3/53, A Gode 2/31)
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August 2018
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