T20
CHAMPIONS
Glen Iris are the undisputed Kookaburra T20 Cup Champions. They defeated Mont Albert - their second title in three years, and their third consecutive Grand Final appearance. Photo Chris Mirabella © 2024
Match ScoresGlen Iris successfully chase down Mont Albert's total - well ahead when fading light brings game to an end
T20 specialists Glen Iris have notched up their second title in three seasons with a decisive win over Mont Albert in the Kookaburra Cup. When fading light gave the players and umpires no other option but to bring the game to a premature end at 8.25pm, Glen Iris's Fred McMillan (37*) and Charles Ward (17*) had their side well in control with the Net Run Rate.
The Eric Raven Reserve Oval was a picture, and with a warm evening, supporters from both sides were out in force and there was a great festival feel all evening. Mont Albert skipper James Guley won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first.
Unsurprisngly, Mont Albert opener Fateh 'Fats' Singh wasted no time in getting into T20 mode, unleashing effortless drives and brutal pull shots to race to 37 (16 balls). But his attempt to hit a third consecutive six off Nick Stone in the fifth over saw him hole-out at deep square leg, It turned out to be a decisive moment of the match. Glen Iris' bowlers then found their groove and blunted the Mont Albert scoring. They picked up regular wickets to restrict Mont Albert to 124. Jack Woods (17 from 20) and Nick Adgemis (21 from 24) stayed steady with wickets falling around them - but there was no late flurry which left Mont Albert probably 20 runs short of a defendable total. Nick Stone recovered from the early onslaught by Singh to return an impressive 3/23, while a fired up Andrew Stolzenburg was relishing the contest with his 3/15.
In response, Mont Albert struck early, picking up two key wickets in skipper Lachy Holmes and Nathan Boucher early. Krishan Paulpillai (29) counter-attacked, htting some some big shots to the delight of the home crowd, to swing the game back towards Glen Iris favor. It was becoming evident to everyone by now the fading light was going to play a factor in the match. This was compounded by a time out due to an injury to the Mont Albert keeper Michael Minz.
When Charlie Thorn bowled the dangerous Tom McDermott, Mont Albert were in the match. But the steadying partnership of Fred McMillan (37* and Charles Ward (17*) saw the locals home. It was redemption for Glen Iris after coughing up a winnning position in last year's Grand Final agains North Balwyn. Speaking after the match, Glen Iris skipper Lachy Holmes acknowledged the efforts of Mont Albert and lauded his players for their sustained efforts in the T20 competition. He joked that they will 'take any kind of premiership at the moment' which was a nod to untimely consectuive losses in the Dunstan Shield competition, where they will be battling it out for a top four finish in the do-or-die final round starting Saturday.
The Eric Raven Reserve Oval was a picture, and with a warm evening, supporters from both sides were out in force and there was a great festival feel all evening. Mont Albert skipper James Guley won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first.
Unsurprisngly, Mont Albert opener Fateh 'Fats' Singh wasted no time in getting into T20 mode, unleashing effortless drives and brutal pull shots to race to 37 (16 balls). But his attempt to hit a third consecutive six off Nick Stone in the fifth over saw him hole-out at deep square leg, It turned out to be a decisive moment of the match. Glen Iris' bowlers then found their groove and blunted the Mont Albert scoring. They picked up regular wickets to restrict Mont Albert to 124. Jack Woods (17 from 20) and Nick Adgemis (21 from 24) stayed steady with wickets falling around them - but there was no late flurry which left Mont Albert probably 20 runs short of a defendable total. Nick Stone recovered from the early onslaught by Singh to return an impressive 3/23, while a fired up Andrew Stolzenburg was relishing the contest with his 3/15.
In response, Mont Albert struck early, picking up two key wickets in skipper Lachy Holmes and Nathan Boucher early. Krishan Paulpillai (29) counter-attacked, htting some some big shots to the delight of the home crowd, to swing the game back towards Glen Iris favor. It was becoming evident to everyone by now the fading light was going to play a factor in the match. This was compounded by a time out due to an injury to the Mont Albert keeper Michael Minz.
When Charlie Thorn bowled the dangerous Tom McDermott, Mont Albert were in the match. But the steadying partnership of Fred McMillan (37* and Charles Ward (17*) saw the locals home. It was redemption for Glen Iris after coughing up a winnning position in last year's Grand Final agains North Balwyn. Speaking after the match, Glen Iris skipper Lachy Holmes acknowledged the efforts of Mont Albert and lauded his players for their sustained efforts in the T20 competition. He joked that they will 'take any kind of premiership at the moment' which was a nod to untimely consectuive losses in the Dunstan Shield competition, where they will be battling it out for a top four finish in the do-or-die final round starting Saturday.
In the rooms - Glen Iris team photo. Copyright © 2024 Chris Mirabella
