Vellacott stars with the bat and ball to lift Lightning to unlikely finals berth

CRICKET: A gripping day of drama saw the composition of the Darling Downs Bush Bash League finals turned on its head.

Entering the final round in fifth, the best individual performance in the competition’s short history lifted the Livewired Lightning into the finals.

Their gain equated to pain for the Valley Raptors and RobScan Knight Riders, who were unable to get the job done in a thrilling afternoon at the grounds of Toowoomba Grammar.

LIGHTNING STRIKES

Coming into the round with a net run rate of -0.8764, the objective was pretty simple for the Lightning once the Hip Pocket Rockets sent them in to bat.

Hit the cover off the ball.

Steve McGiffin started the push with 21 runs form nine balls, including three sixes. The loss of two quick wickets shortly after had them struggling at 3/38.

That’s when an incredible 145-run partnership between Blake Anderson (97) and Lachlan Vellacott (70) produced some of the cleanest hitting seen in Toowoomba.

The pair combined for 21 boundaries, including 13 sixes, propelling their side to 6/208.

Blake Anderson (left) and Lachlan Vellacott of Livewired Lightning. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“We knew we had to have a big win and for a few results to go our way,” Vellacott said.
“We had to be positive and we knew we had to get a big score, which meant taking a few risks.

“For myself and Blake, it was more of our natural games. Anything that was in our zone we backed ourselves.”

Early wickets to McGiffin (2/23) and Aidan Watterson (1/28) had the Rockets under the pump at 3/15, before Michael Sippel (20) and Luke Neale (23) steadied the ship.

That’s where Vellacott came into his own, taking two wickets in the eighth over to turn the tide back in the Lightning’s favour.

His bowling partnership with Kieren Gibbs (2/13) proved the difference, taking another three wickets to finish with figures of 5/15.

“I thought I’ve bowled pretty well so far this tournament,” Vellacott said.

“I wanted to stay consistent, and tried a few different variations which helped me get a few wickets.”

The win improved their run rate to 0.4606%, reducing the Rockets to -0.7200% and in danger of missing the finals.

Jack Carty makes runs for Grammar Blazers. Picture: Kevin Farmer

RAPTORS FALTER TO BLAZERS

The Rockets loss meant a win to the Raptors would be enough to see them into the final.

However the Grammar Blazers, who were the only team not to register a win coming into the weekend, had different plans.

Jack Carty (102 off 64) and Tully Willson (55* off 36) set the tone, helping the Blazers post a total of 4/193.

The Raptors were gallant in their chase, with a number of batsmen getting starts.

With one over remaining, the Raptors needed 18 off the final over to secure victory.

They got close, but ultimately fell short by three runs, ending their season.

Aidacare Aztecs celebrate the dismissal of Kris Glass of RobScan Knight Riders. Picture: Kevin Farmer

AZTECS OUTLAST KNIGHT RIDERS

With results at hand, a win would lead the Aidacare Aztecs to top spot, with a win enough for the Knight Riders to book a finals spot.

The Knight Riders put a solid total on the board, firing 7/156 on the back of Ben O’Connell’s 55 runs from 30 balls.

Two quick wickets had the Aztecs under early pressure at 2/25, before Chris Gillam (67*) and Luke Pollock (79*) combined for a 135-run stand to secure an eight-wicket win and earn top spot on the ladder.

THE ROAD AHEAD

The Rockets will have the chance for immediate revenge when they take on the Lightning in tonight’s grand final qualifier at Cahill Park from 6pm, with the winner taking on the Aztecs in Sunday’s grand final.

Originally published as Vellacott stars with the bat and ball to lift Lightning to unlikely finals berth