Cricket 365 live stream 2021: Storm into final with T20 Strike League win over Blaze in Darwin

Southern Storm have snared a place in the T20 Strike League final with a win over the Desert Blaze in Darwin. Watch the replay here.

The Southern Storm have conjured a magical comeback to beat Desert Blaze by 12 runs and seal a place in the T20 Strike League final in Darwin.

The Blaze were cruising at 0-80 in the 11th over reply to the Storm’s target of 138, with openers Hayden Kerr and Dylan Brasher well in control.

But when Kerr eventually fell to roommate Josh Kann for 40 off 32 balls, it triggered a mini collapse, with the Blaze losing 4-15 from 25 balls and the run rate pushing to almost nine an over.

WATCH THE REPLAY IN THE PLAYER ABOVE

Kann and young spinner Reiley Mark did the damage, taking two wickets each, with Mark conceding just 12 runs from his four overs.

The Blaze still seemed in control of the chase but when Chris Tremain and Hamish Martin both fell in a disastrous power surge that yielded just nine runs, their night was over.

The Storm win was miraculous given their own batting position and the start they conceded to the Blaze in the chase.

An aggressive innings from Ash Chandrasinghe has helped the Southern Storm claim a place in the T20 Strike League final. Picture:Glenn Campbell

A feeding frenzy from Ash Chandrasinghe and Kyle Scrimegour in the final five overs was all that allowed the Storm to overcome a lacklustre start.

Sent in to bat at Darwin’s DXC Arena, the Storm limped through the opening half of the innings, making 3-48 off the first 10 after being pegged down by the Blaze bowlers.

And when they lost another two wickets cheaply in the next five overs, they seemed destined to only just scrape past the 100 mark.

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But some outstanding hitting from Chandrasinghe (35 off 22) and Scrimegour (33 off 17) put on 59 run in the last five overs with some power hitting, including three sixes, helping them set the Blaze a target of 138.

The Blaze were almost flawless in the field early, Hayden Kerr taking a diving outfield catch to dismiss the dangerous opener Josh Kann, keeper Max Hatzoglou whipped the bails off to stump Sam Fanning and Connor Blaxall-Hill ran out Brodie Symons with a direct hit from the outfield.

Rough diamonds get chance to shine in T20 Strike League

It may have been designed as a training ground for Australian’s generation next to polish their games but the Northern Territory’s Cricket 365 program is also providing a chance for the diamonds in the rough to find their shine.

For every first class player that has headed north for the winter, there’s another youngster hungry for an opportunity to compete and show why they should be given an opportunity at the next level.

WATCH LIVE: News Corp is streaming the T20 tournament from 15-27 August. For

access, sign up here!

Sydney grade cricketer Jackson Isakka is one of those making the most of his opportunities.

A NSW schoolboys representative, Isakka has plied his trade outside the pathway program but his efforts in the top end this winter are raising eyebrows.

The Campbelltown batsman is currently sitting in the top five in the batting averages for the T20 Strike League after notching 46 off 38 balls for the Desert Blaze in their win against the Northern Tide.

Jackson Isakka in action in Darwin Premier Grade cricket. Picture:Glenn Campbell

The “half-decent score” was a little short of what Isakka had wanted, although helping his team to a win was his main goal.

Getting to experience another level of cricket has been an eye-opener for Isakka, who is gaining as many tips as he can from the likes of Blaze teammate and Tasmanian all-rounder Tom Andrews and former one-day international bowler Chris Tremain.

“I want to take my cricket as far as I can,” the 20-year-old said.

“It’s been a great experience playing with guys like Chris Tremain and against guys like Jason Sangha, who’s obviously played for NSW and guys in the other teams who have represented their states and played high-level cricket.

“You definitely notice how well they know the game and how well they know their particular skill of the game.”

And with plenty of eyes on the T20 Strike League - through the live streaming of matches on News Corp websites - Isakka is keen to make the most of a chance that is not often open to players outside the elite pathway system.

“Kanny (Josh Kann) being signed (by the Hobart Hurricanes) is just proof of the exposure and opportunities you get playing up here,” he said.

Former international bowler Chris Tremain. Picture: Glenn Campbell

“So many of the players have got rookie contracts or are playing second XI (for their states) and are just on the verge and I’m sure if any of them go well their own states or other states will keep an eye on them or give them an opportunity.

“Knowing that there’s a lot of people watching and opportunities may present themselves ... it is really good.

“It does give an opportunity for guys like myself who haven’t been in any state pathway systems to come up against the players that have and see how you perform against these other guys and show we are good enough.”

Isakka’s Blaze lost their first game of the T20 Strike League series on Monday night but have the chance to gain revenge almost immediately when they face their conquerors, the Southern Storm, again on Wednesday at Darwin’s DXC Arena.

The match will be streamed live on News Corp websites from 6.30pm (AEST) and could help decide positions at the top of the competition ladder and a spot in Friday night’s final.