Adelaide High School defeats Sacred Heart to claim fourth SAAS Twenty 20 Cup
A philosophy on and off the field is behind the winning ways of an Adelaide school’s specialised cricket program as it claims a record-breaking piece of silverware.
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Adelaide High has claimed a record fourth SAAS Twenty20 Cup, cementing its spot as one of SA’s leading cricket schools.
The CBD school cruised to victory over Sacred Heart in the grand final on Friday.
Restricting Hearts to 5/91, Adelaide High powered to 2/93 in 11.1 overs off the back of a brilliant 64 from 44 balls by all-rounder and man of the match Jack Matchett.
The title added to wins in 2017, 2014 and 2012 and made AHS the most successful school in the 14-year history of the competition formerly known as the Messenger Bowl.
Rostrevor and St Michael’s have both won three trophies each.
AHS cricket program director Phil Hopton said the school’s first division one T20 triumph in four years was a reflection on its focus on the sport.
“We think it’s one of the hardest comps and finals to consistency be good in,” Hopton said.
“The boys place a great importance on winning as many things as they possibly can and they’ve really been eyeing off the T20 title for the last couple of years.”
AHS also claimed the division two and middle A1 trophies last week.
On an overcast day, home side Adelaide got the division one grand final off to a perfect start with Oliver Ellicott claiming the prized wicket of Sacred Heart opener and state under-17 squad member Will Patton for just five runs.
Matthew Barnes, 51 not out from 49 balls, played a lone hand to keep Hearts in the hunt but Matchett picked up two wickets as Thomas Brown and James Pike claimed singles to restrict them to 91.
Matchett then produced a mature, intelligent display at the crease with seven fours and two sixes to guide Adelaide to victory.
“He’s got come X-factor that will see him in a fair few state underage squads for the years to come,” Hopton said of Matchett.
Wicketkeeper and vice-captain Luke Terry and opener Rudransh Sharma were Adelaide’s other standout performers throughout the tournament.
Hopton said, while it played to win, the school had a further focus to its specialised cricket program.
“Our big thing we say pretty consistently is we want them to be great cricketers but better people,” he said.
“There’s obviously been a fair bit of commentary recently around what cricketers are doing off-field in terms of the Australian cricket team and Tim Paine.
“They’re in the school for cricket but we want them to be great people first and foremost, and we think that will help them in their cricket journey as much as their skill level.”
Hopton predicted Adelaide High would be well-placed to defend its title next season with several Year 11s in the side set to return.
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