Cricket 365 Strike League Round 2: WA local Lochie Hardy stars again

A West Australian local star has followed a match-winning knock on Sunday with another top performance. See the Round 2 wrap of the Strike League here.

Western Australia Claremont Nedlands talent Lochie Hardy steered City Cyclones to their second Strike League victory to remain as the only undefeated side after the first two rounds.

Off the back of a big season in WA, the 21-year-old followed his match-winning 38* on Sunday with another triumphant effort, scoring an unbeaten 32 off 24 deliveries to steer his side past Southern Storm’s total of 127 with five balls to spare.

The Cyclones’ three-wicket win was supported by Sam Heazlett who scored 42 opening the batting and the work of the bowlers in first innings who kept Storm at bay as they only managed a total of 5-127 after 20 overs at DXC Arena.

New South Welshman Jason Sangha played a lone hand for the Storm scoring 62 from 58 deliveries.

Western Australia Claremont Nedlands talent Lochie Hardy steered City Cyclones to their second Strike League victory. Picture: NT Cricket

Hardy, who also plays for Southern Districts, credited his young group for taking their opportunities in the early games.

“We’ve got a good group of young players including Heazlett who’s been awesome so far, so you can’t ask for anything more,” Hardy said.

“It comes down to doing the basics well, whoever does the basics better for longer seems to come out on top, and then it’s about having fun.

“I’ve had a few opportunities to show what I’ve got and I’m happy I’ve taken those opportunities to help us get those early wins under our belts.”

Coming up against international Billy Stanlake was a particularly big moment for Hardy who watched the bowler play for Australia.

But the bat all-rounder put the excitement aside while facing him and made sure to keep the runs coming.

“It’s honestly pretty awesome, I sat back a couple of years ago watching him play for Australia,” Hardy said.

“It’s pretty cool he’s now facing us boys after we watched him, it’s pretty exciting, but obviously we still have to watch the ball.

“It’s good being able to come up to Darwin to play some good cricket outdoors rather than be stuck indoors in pre-season mode as we would be down south.

“It’s also pretty convenient not having to go to England or South Africa to play, and Darwin is a lovely part of the world with great weather so it’s good here.”

Josh Kann had a strong game for the Desert Blaze on Wednesday night. Picture: NT Cricket

Local talent Hamish Martin backed up his solid display of batting in Sunday’s one-dayer by having the best figures for the victors with 1-17 from four overs including a maiden over.

Across the road at TIO Stadium in what was believed to have been the first ever T20 at the venue, South Australian Northern Districts all-rounder Josh Kann stepped up with bat and ball to led his side over the line in a three-wicket win over Northern Tide.

The 23-year-old took a crucial 3-21 from four overs to help dismiss the Tide for a poor total of 102 before whacking 22 off 12 balls opening the bat.

Kann dismissed Sunday’s half century maker Corey Hunter early before claiming Ryan King (26 off 17 deliveries) and Sam Elder (13 off 15 deliveries).

He was supported by Jarrod Freeman who took a strong 4-8 off 3.3 overs.

With the bat, Kann boomed two sixes and was important in getting the Blaze ahead of the run chase in the early stages.

Matthew Calder (28 off 24 balls) and Jack Wood (29 off 20 balls) were vital through the middle overs in keeping the scoreboard ticking to guide the Blaze closer to their target.

Strike League Round 1: South Australian Lloyd Pope causes a top-order storm

Top bowling performances gave City Cyclones and Northern Tide the triumphant edge in the opening round of the Cricket 365 Strike League competition on Sunday.

South Australian leggie Lloyd Pope was the pick of the bowlers claiming 4-40 from 10 overs to clinch victory for the Tide at DXC Arena as Southern Storm were bowled out 60 runs short of their target.

The 23 year old went through four of Storm’s top six batters in the run chase including New South Wales gun Jason Sanga (2) and his former state teammate Jacob Dickman (15).

It came after Tide set a healthy total of 8-262 thanks to Corey Hunter’s 63 off 97 balls opening the batting, as well as Ryan King’s quickfire 42 off 34 balls (five boundaries, three sixes) coming in at No.3.

Big Bash grand final sensation Cooper Connolly also notched 39 off 46 balls, while local wicketkeeper Michael Kudra struck a run-a-ball 36 to help his side finish the first innings strongly.

Param Uppal (left) took the two key wickets of Connolly and Kudra. Corey Hunter (right) was on fire with the bat. Picture: NT Cricket

At Cazalys Arena 1, Desert Blaze’s top order were steamrolled on a spicy wicket, apart from skipper Angus Lovell who fought hard for 26 off 50 balls opening the batting.

The Cyclones had the Blaze three wickets down for less than 50 runs after the first 16 overs.

But as the Dukes ball lost its shine and the pitch flattened, the Blaze batters settled in with local youngster Harshtik Bimbral striking 44 from 62 deliveries at No.6 and Tasmanian all-rounder Jarrod Freeman hitting a run-a-ball 47.

The partnership brought the Blaze back into the game as they boosted the total to 176.

Caelan Maladay claimed two early wickets for the Cyclones. Picture: NT Cricket.

Sydney University quick Caelan Maladay was the pick of the bowlers for the Cyclones with 2-34 from 10 overs including two maidens.

In the run chase, the Blaze remained in the game for long periods as Cyclones continually lost wickets until Lochie Hardy (38*) and former NT under-19 captain Hamish Martin (43*) put on a match-winning partnership to pass the target six wickets down with 6.1 overs remaining.

Freeman delivered with ball claiming 3-23 from 10 overs to complete a fine performance to start his Strike League tournament.

The Strike League T20s will get under way on Wednesday evening with Blaze taking on Tide at TIO Stadium and Cyclones facing Storm across the road at DXC Arena.

Originally published as Cricket 365 Strike League Round 2: WA local Lochie Hardy stars again