Newcastle make NSW country cricket history with dramatic victory over Central Coast
The NSW men’s Country Cricket Championship went down to the wire on Sunday, with the history-making blockbuster between Newcastle and the Central Coast decided in the final over.
The Newcastle News
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Newcastle have created history by winning an unprecedented fourth-straight men’s country cricket championship following a dramatic final-over victory against the Central Coast at Newcastle’s No 1 Sportsground on Sunday.
Adrian Chad proved to be the hero for Newcastle, smashing an unbeaten 37 from 16 balls, including a match-winning six with just three balls remaining, to see the side successfully chase down the Central Coast’s total of 279.
Chad arrived at the crease with Newcastle in trouble at 5-221 with only 5.1 overs remaining. The equation became much harder just eight balls later when Scott Burkinshaw bowled Aaron Bills for one to leave Newcastle at 7-234, needing 46 from just 23 balls.
But Newcastle – led by Chad and ably supported by Nick Foster – went on a rampage, smashing 17 and 16 off the next two overs to leave the side needing nine runs from the last over.
After scoring three runs off the first two balls, Chad then dispatched Broc Hardy’s third ball over deep mid-wicket for six to seal the famous victory, which saw Newcastle become the first team to win the NSW Country Championship on a fourth-straight occasion.
The stage for the dramatic contest was set early when the Central Coast finished with a highly competitive total of 9-279 from their 50 overs.
They were led by man of the match Callum Rainger, who scored 100 from 98 balls, and supported with some strong lower-order hitting from vice-captain Harry Woodhead (49) and Scott Burkinshaw (26 not out).
In reply, Newcastle got off to a strong start and a one point were cruising at 2-192.
However a brilliant spell from Central Coast left-arm spinner Conner Haddow, who took four for 54, triggered a Newcastle collapse of five for 42, which left the hosts in serious trouble before Chad came in to save the day.
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