Adelaide University brothers Sam and Daniel Kerber star as Blacks claim 2019/20 Twenty20 crown
Adelaide University has dethroned East Torrens in grade cricket’s Twenty20 competition after the Blacks beat the reigning premier in the grand final on Sunday.
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Adelaide University has finally claimed grade cricket’s Twenty20 title after beating reigning premier East Torrens at Karen Rolton Oval on Sunday.
The Blacks had featured in three Twenty20 grand finals (2012/13, 2015/16, 2017/18) but lost each one to Tea Tree Gully.
And now it was finally Uni’s turn to taste success after their 6/167 proved too much for East Torrens’ 5/150.
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Adelaide University captain Ben Wakim was proud of his side and said his teammates deserved the result after all the hard work they had put in this summer.
“I am ecstatic, really,” Wakim said.
“It’s been a long time since premierships for Uni and we’ve been close a couple of years ago so it’s really nice to get this one.
“We had a couple of clutch overs at the end there from a few od our guys and tat really put us in front so we managed to get across the line.
“We’ve got a lot of depth that we’ve built over the past couple of years and a lot of different players as well.”
Brothers Sam and Daniel Kerber were the stars for Adelaide University in its nail bitting win after combining for an 89-run partnership.
Sam’s 45 from 40 balls and Daniel’s 49 from 30 helped the Blacks reach their solid total.
Adelaide University’s innings started to look a little shaky after the Kerber brothers were dismissed — by Luke Robins and Michael Cranmer respectively — but Wakim (30) steadied the ship.
The Reds’ run chase got off to a solid start with favourite son Jake Lehmann and Michael Cranmer opening the batting.
The pair had their side at 0/32 after four overs.
Then when Uni’s Nick Winter bowled Lehmann for 20 things turned sour for the Reds.
Tom Lace (25) was eventually caught by Uni’s Bosisto and the Reds were reeling at 2/83 after 12 overs.
But former Redbacks all-rounder Michael Cranmer put on an outstanding performance and almost won the match for the Reds.
Cranmer smashed 76 not from 59 balls, including four sixes and five fours.
But it was not enough to drag the Reds to the win as Winter (2/15) led Uni’s attack.
After the match Cranmer conceded Uni was just too good.
Adelaide University will now represent SA at the National Premier Twenty20 Championships, to be played in Adelaide in March.
Earlier, the Reds dispatched Sturt in the semi-final at Park 25. Cockbain belted 71 off 38 and Robins snared 2/6 in the 65-run victory. Tea Tree Gully fell to Adelaide by 53 runs in their semi-final.