Mulgrave win the Kookaburra T20 Cup Grand Final: Match Report

Earlier, a mid-afternoon rain storm had everyone nervous about the prospect of a washout. However the Mulgrave ground staff were all over it, with the covers down and doing the job. The players removed them under the supervision of match umpires Garry Shipp and John Blenerhasset.

We had a true deck and play started on time, albeit under grey, leaden skies.

Ashburton won the toss - and had no hesitation in batting. Openers Mark Quamil and Thusith De soysa made a positive start and both looked untroubled as the score ticked over to 24 - aided by four overthrows after a ping at the stumps saw the ball deflect past the back up fielder at the bowlers end.  Mulgrave quick Jai Allman (4/27) and keeper Joe Brown  combined to remove both openers in one dynamic over and the game immediately had a different tempo. But the stylish pair of Udaya Rodrigo (28 from 18) and Chris Knights (34 from 21 inc 2 sixes) didn't muck around and accelerated the score to 70. The ball was back well and truly in their court. But Mulgrave skipper Callum Hope (3/18) bowled with guile and variation to slow up the scoring. With the pace off the ball Ashburton went looking for big shots that weren't there and wickets were surrended too easily. When Callum Hope grabbed the crucial wicket of the set Chris Knights, the game took another turn.

WIth the score on 7/112, it was left to the lower order to scratch out a total in safe ones and twos - which they did well. But without any knockout overs at the end, Ashburton's score of 9/134 looked just par. But it was runs on the board in a Grand Final.

Mulgrave's response was all about the remarkable innings of Jordan Stephens. The opener looked on-song from the first ball and his cut and ramp shots were brutally effective. He struck 16 boundaries during his innings and looked focused throughout. His opening partner Nick Parker read the situation perfectly, turning over the strike to get his partner with the hot hand back on strike. While he only contributed 10 to the opening partnership of 54, it was just the start the chasing team needed. Thanks to Jordan Stephens knock, Mulgrave had control of the tempo for most of the innings. Up to the 15th over it was looking a formality. Ashburton's only chance was to choke the scoring and play some mind games with a batter approaching a century and the mind-set of his partners. 'It's a funny game' was cried out more than once from the field, clearly directed at the batters. This glimmer of a chance grew into something bigger, and with a run a ball needed off the last few overs the crowd sensed the shift and all of a sudden, remarkably it was game on.

Fields were being set even more precisely as Ashburton threw their last roll of the dice. The experienced Mark Quamil bowled an excellent 18th over as it was clear the new batter to the crease Callum Hope was trying to get Jordan Stephens (now in his 90s) on strike. There were three dot balls bowled - leaving the hosts needing 13 from 12. The 19th over bowled by Pamuditha Geemal Rajapakshage also had three dots (and 7 runs conceded) and felt like a mini-win to Ashburton just to get it to the last over. Going into it Jordan Stephens was on 97 - with Callum Hope on strike. Mark Quamil was bowling. Callum found a crucial single with the first ball - the second was driven by Jordan for two. The third he flayed off the thick outside edge to thrid man where he scampered a single and bought up a briliant ton. Despite the thunderous applause from the pavillion, he only afforded himself a muted celebration (which could easily have been interpreted as a request for new gloves). With the field in, Callum Hope found the middle of the bat on the fourth ball to lift one over cover to seal a memorable win and end an excellent match. After the players exchanged handshakes and as they were heading to the pavilion, Jordan Stephens emotions got the best of him and fell the ground on his knees with arms extended to his mates in what appeared to be a combination of relief, joy and a bit of fun. By now his teammates were barnstoming onto the ground - they had no hesitation running straight into his arms to share the moment in one of the images of the season that was captured so beautifully by Michael. See photo above.

After the match at the presentation cermony, respecitve skippers Chris Barr and Callum Hope expressed their mutual admiration for the efforts of all players and for the quality of the tournament. Unsurpisingly the Umpires awarded Jordan Stephen's the player of the match award. ECA Vice President Mike Slattery and Kookaburra Sport's Hayleigh Brennan did the honors of presenting the medals and the trophy.  For the record, the rain stayed away, and it was only at the very end of the match the lights were needed. A credit to everyone. Thanks to Mulgrave for being excellent hosts.