Last ball classic decides the match
East Malvern Tooronga are the 2026 Kookaburra T20 Cup champions after defeating Glen Iris in a last ball thriller at Eric Raven Reserve. The large, local derby crowd were treated to an enthralling contest as the ball dominated the bat on a challenging wicket. In the fading light, EMTs Number 9 Jarred Smith held his nerve to get bat on ball off the last delivery of the match to see his side over the line.
- East Malvern Tooronga 7/114 d Glen Iris 9/113 Play HQ Scorecard
- Player of the Match: Aaron Wheatley EMT (3/19 and 28)
Key moments in the match:
- Electing to bat first, Glen Iris were reduced to 4/11 after 4 overs
- In form big-hitter Christopher Thewlis dismissed first ball of the match off leg spinner Dev Gandhewar
- Player of the match Aaron Wheatley takes 3 wickets to rip out the Glen Iris top order
- Daniel Cohen scores a gutsy 58* - top score of the match
- Combines with Andrew Stolzenburg (28) in 55 run partnership to give bowlers something to defend
- EMT openers Aaron Wheatley (26) and George Waring (31 from 13) get run chase off to a flier
- EMT win looks a formality
- Glen Iris spills three catches
- Match roars back to life when Lachy Holmes (3/12) takes a screamer caught and bowled to dismiss Freddie Heldreich (18) and trigger a collapse
- Combines with Andrew Stolzenburg (1/14) to bring scoring to a crawl
- Oscar Sergeant (23* from 30) holds firm in the chaos as he and Jarred Smith scratch out the 5 runs needed off the last over to win the match
Photo: Player of the match Aaron Wheatley with umpires Jack Krohn (left) and Garry Shipp All photos © Chris Mirabella 2026
Match Report
Earlier, the home crowd were stunned into silence as in-form Christopher Thewlis played across the line to the leggie Dev Gandhewar to be dismissed off the first ball of the match. Then EMTs Aaron Wheatley ripped out the top order, picking up three wickets in his first two overs (caught at the wicket) to reduce Glen Iris to 4/11. Things went from bad to worse as left arm wrist spinner Freddie Heldreich (3/16) pinned down the middle order. It took a determined and gutsy innings by Daniel Cohen (58*) and a timely 28 from Andrew Stolzenburg to give the Glen Iris bowlers something to defend.
In contrast, EMTs openers got off to a flier with the big hitting of George Waring (31 from 13) and Aaron Wheatley (26 from 23) proving to be a pivotal period of the match. Glen Iris' fielders had a serious case of the catching yips, grassing three opportunities.
At 4/92, EMT looked to be cruising towards the win until the 16th over when Lachy Holmes first snaffled a one-handed screamer - a caught and bowled to dismiss Freddie Heldreich (18) and then bowled Leroy Jones for a golden duck the next ball. The home crowd came to life, as the match was turned on its head. He then picked up Rehan Fernando off the first ball of his next over - and it was game on. Supporters from both sides were well and truly invested by now as the temperature decidedly went up up a few degrees. Andrew Stolzenburg was bowling with serious wheels (and accuracy) at the other end and all of a sudden the runs dried up. However, the experience of Oscar Sergeant (23*) to hold innings together was crucial. On the final over, bowled by Lachy Holmes, the visitors needed 5 runs for the win. Balls one and two were singles, the third a leg bye. Oscar then took a single off the 5th ball, leaving Jarred Smith the unenviable task of getting any bat on ball. By now it is almost dark The delivery was just wide enough for him to free his arms - punching it out through point for the single and the win.
Congratulations to all players for a great final. We thank Glen Iris for being great hosts. Congratulations also to senior umpires Garry Shipp and Jack Krohn for their fine games also. We thank our sponsor Kookaburra for their continued generous support of our T20 competition and for their overall support of the ECA.
