Messenger Bowl T20 cricket final between Prince Alfred College and Scotch College – full replay of our exclusive live stream

Scotch College has triumped over Prince Alfred College in the Messenger Bowl T20 school cricket final. Watch the full replay here.

They were almost forced to wait until next year to battle for the 2020 Messenger Bowl title.

But with COVID-19 restrictions being lifted, Prince Alfred College and Scotch College will play in the school cricket Twenty20 grand final on Wednesday.

In a first for the competition, which is in its 13th year, the match will be live streamed by The Messenger and The Advertiser on advertiser.com.au from 1.30pm.

Neither school has ever won a Messenger Bowl title, making this year’s decider even bigger.

PAC – which is hosting the game – has played in two finals, losing to Rostrevor in 2008 and then Adelaide High in 2014, but it’s Scotch’s first appearance in the final.

Both sides earned the right to play for the title after ending the five-round campaign top of their respective groups.

Scotch captain Matthew Dixon and Prince Alfred skipper Harry Matthias ahead of the Messenger Bowl Twenty20 grand final. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

Scotch star Cormack O’Reilly is set to shine in the decider, which The Advertiser will exclusively live stream. Picture: Supplied, Scotch College

Scotch enters the final with four wins and a draw.

Coach Madu Maduwantha was proud of his team for getting this far.

He said it was a great reward for all the players’ hard work during an interrupted year.

“It’s better to play it rather than have it cancelled,” Maduwantha said.

“It’s an amazing experience for the kids.

“We haven’t had just one or two stand up, it’s been a team effort and everyone has clicked really well.

“We have played really good cricket this year.

“The boys deserve to be in the final and this would be a really good way to finish off, especially to bet PAC who are generally very strong with their cricket”.

PAC’s Max Cunningham, in action in a Messenger Bowl match against Pembroke earlier this year, will be one to watch during the final on Wednesday, Picture: Brenton Edwards

Campbell Thompson has been one of Scotch’s stars with the ball this season. Picture: Supplied, Scotch College

The Parafield COVID-19 cluster, detected earlier this month, forced SA to go into a three-day lockdown and authorities suspend community sport for two weeks.

That cast doubt on whether the Twenty20 final could get underway before the Christmas school holidays.

But with the cluster somewhat under control, community sport was given the green light to resume on December 1.

PAC coach Sam Knight said his players were “pumped” to be able to play.

“The boys are really excited,” Knight said.

“It was on again, off again, and we were wondering if we would have to push it to next year.

“But the boys are really thrilled and hopefully the weather is excellent and we can have a good game of cricket.

“They’ve played well all through the tournament, so I think it will be a really good finish for the year if they can hopefully get a win.”

Knight said live streaming the game would make it easier for parents and loved ones of the players to watch, with COVID restrictions likely limiting the crowd number.

“It’s really exciting for us,” Knight said.

‘We’ve got a community who are really behind the guys, a lot of old scholars, staff and families who are really keen to see how we go.”