Northcote United opener Danushka Wijemanna hammers four sixes in final five balls to pull off miracle outright win against Old Ivanhoe

OPENER Danushka Wijemanna sent Northcote United into raptures smashing four sixes in the final five balls to drag the club into North Metro Cricket Association finals on Saturday.

s34wp932 NMCA Northcote United versus Lalor Warriors play at Alphington Park , Alphington Northcote United's Danushka Wijema...

OPENER Danushka Wijemanna sent Northcote United into raptures smashing four sixes in the final five balls to drag the club into North Metro Cricket Association finals on Saturday.

United’s season had all but flatlined after a draw between Northern Socials and Bundoora Park left the Quick Shield side needing an outright win against Old Ivanhoe at Chelsworth Park.

After declaring with an 83-run first-innings lead, Northcote struggled to make inroads as Ryan Hense (61) marshaled the visitors’ middle-order during their second dig.

But Corey Altis turned the match on its head with about 20 overs left in the day, slicing through Old Ivanhoe’s lower-order.

The visitors were skittled for 158, leaving Northcote United with 76 runs to get from six overs.

Joel Thompson and Wijemanna made a promising start, but Shaun O’Neill appeared to have ruined Northcote’s finals chances with a spell of 1-26 from three overs.

Wijemanna was joined by Altis for the final over, with United needing to clear the ropes at least four times.

The hosts appeared dead and buried when the equation became four sixes from four balls before chaos ensued.

Wijemanna smashed the next two balls over the rope, before a waste-high full toss from Old Ivanhoe captain Adam Baldwin was also sent flying for six.

Baldwin managed to keep Northcote scoreless off the penultimate ball, but Wijemanna cleared the boundary on the final delivery of the season to qualify his side for finals.

“It was unbelievable,” Thompson said.

“Our twos were playing on the ground next to us and they finished early so they were watching.

“Our threes came down because they finished a bit earlier as well.

“There was a few other clubs there, Socials were there waiting for the result.

“The final six was hit toward where we were sitting and the whole ground just got covered with people, they came from everywhere.”

The result lifted Northcote United to 58 points, one ahead of the unlucky Socials.

Northcote United will face Preston Baseballers in the opening week of finals, while Heidelberg West hosts Bundoora Park.

In Jika Shield, Keon Park travels to Lalor Reserve to meet Lalor Warriors, while minor premier Rivergum will tackle North Brunswick-Rosebank.

Keon Park was routed for 82 in its final match of the regular season on Saturday, losing to Holy Trinity by 168 runs.

North Brunswick-Rosebank and Rivergum registered wins ahead of their blockbuster clash.