Cricket 365 live stream 2021: Top end talent helps Storm to win over Cyclones in T20 Strike League final in Darwin
The Southern Storm have set City Cyclones a target of 184 to win the T20 Strike League final being streamed live on News Corp websites.
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The T20 Strike League’s mantra to provide a stage for top end talent has paid off, with Darwin product Dean Fry providing his own fireworks display just ahead of Territory cracker night.
While recent Hobart Hurricanes signing Josh Kann made 55 off 39 balls and took a wicket, it was Fry who provided the highlights as the Southern Storm beat the City Cyclones by 30 runs at Darwin’s DXC Arena.
Fry’s stunning display of power hitting - he made 46 from 25 balls, including three fours and two massive sixes - helped the Storm set the Cyclones a target of 184, the biggest of the series.
WATCH THE FINAL REPLAY IN THE PLAYER ABOVE
But it was no guarantee of success, with his team needing to contain form Melbourne Stars batsman Nick Larkin and rising star Jack Edwards if they were to snare the title.
Larkin blasted 106 from just 43 balls on Thursday night to help the Cyclones snare their place in the final but seemed physically spent from the effort and wilted in the tough conditions as he attempted to lift his side again.
Needing a demanding 9.15 an over to meet the Storm’s target, the Cyclones started brilliantly, with Edwards and Dylan Hunter blasting 14 off the first over.
Hunter fell lbw to Kann in the second over, with his dismissal creating more of a buzz than disappointment around the ground given it brought Larkin to the crease.
But he seemed out of sorts from the start, cracking his bat and needing a replacement, while looking uncomfortable in the warm conditions after his efforts 24 hours earlier.
Edwards played elegantly for his 29 off 22 balls before Kann took a brilliant catch to dismiss him just as he was building momentum with Larkin.
The 31-year-old had to endure two weeks of quarantine at the Howard Springs facility before being able to join teammates for the Strike League build-up and that endurance was tested again on Friday night as he attempted to maintain a pacy dig.
Handed a life on 20 after local keeper Michael Kudra missed a stumping chance, Larkin’s luck ran out on 41, when Kudra gained his revenge, whipping the bails off as the batsman attempted a tired hoik off a Reiley Mark delivery.
His dismissal, and the Storm’s relentless pressure in the field snuffed out the Cyclones’ chance of taking the title, with their chase petering out well before their 20 overs had expired.
Baxter to lead Storm charge in final
It’s a name that suggests comic book super hero more than fast bowler.
But Blade Baxter may just be a bit of both.
The left arm quick with the unforgettable name is also the man that took on Kevin Pietersen in Melbourne club cricket and is determined to make sure his name is more than just the butt of commentators’ jokes.
WATCH LIVE: News Corp is streaming the T20 tournament from 15-27 August. For
The left arm quick has made plenty of pundits sit up and take notice with his performances for the Southern Storm during the T20 Strike League competition in Darwin over the past fortnight.
Baxter has been one of the most consistent bowlers in the T20 competition, claiming seven wickets from his four round matches to help the Storm into Friday night’s final at Darwin’s DXC Arena.
The Storm sealed their place in the final with a come-from-behind win against the Blaze on Wednesday night, with Baxter chipping in with the wicket of Hamish Martin for just three.
Coach Tony Judd said Baxter had been a key member of the Storm set-up.
“He’s an experienced cricketer and he offers that level of control and variation that we needed in our attack,” Judd said.
“He’s the 150 per cent man. He goes hard at everything and you add his energy in the field and around the group and he’s been a real bonus for us.
WATCH LIVE: News Corp is streaming the T20 tournament from 15-27 August. For
“Blade has been a very strong presence within the group. The things that matter most are discipline and a desire to win - and win from anywhere - and he’s been really good fun.”
The Storm lost captain and opener Mac Wright, all-rounder Beau Webster and spinner Arjun Nair when the trio left to prepare for state commitments down south following Darwin’s short Covid lockdown a fortnight ago.
“We lost probably our two best players,” Judd said.
“but this tournament’s not necessarily about what happens in regards to premierships, it’s about giving people opportunities to show what they can do on a bigger stage than they would normally get in Darwin cricket and everyone in our group has had an opportunity ... to show what they can do and I’ve been really impressed with the resilience of the group and the fact that we’ve managed to keep winning despite the loss of such key players.”
Friday night’s final will be played at Darwin’s DXC Arena from 6.30pm (AEST), with the match streamed live on News Corp websites.
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