A gutsy 34-run stand for the last wicket between NT U19 captain Adi Dave and partner Brendan Haylett secures narrow win

AFTER a brave showing in their opening game, NT clawed their way to a memorable win over Tasmania in their second round game at the Cricket Australia Under 19 National Championships

The Territory's under-19 cricketers pose for a photo after their thrilling one-wicket win over Tasmania at the national titles.

AFTER a brave showing in their opening game, NT clawed their way to a memorable win over Tasmania in their second round game at the Cricket Australia Under 19 National Championships in Perth.

Led from the front by captain Adi Dave, the Territory triumphed by one wicket in a tense game of cricket where fortunes swung like the pendulum on a wall clock.

Tasmania won the toss and decided to bat first at the Iluka Sports Complex where a run out and a wicket each to Rajdeep Singh, Coby Edmondstone and Tom Olsen reduced Tassie to

4-62 after 20 overs.

Particularly impressive was left arm quick Olsen, who conceded a mere 11 runs from his first five overs.

A solid 56-run fifth wicket partnership put the Islanders back on track, but the overs were ticking by with economical left arm orthodox pair, Adi Dave and Brendan Haylett bowling in

tandem through the crucial middle overs.

A wicket each to Dave and Haylett reduced Tasmania to 7-134 after 40 overs, with leg-spinner, Edmondstone outstanding at the death outstanding – taking 4-27 off 10 overs in Tasmania’s total of 172.

The Tassie bowlers fought back with four early wickets to have the NT wobbling at 4-85 after 20 overs.

But playing a lone hand at the top of the order was wicketkeeper-bat Jet Liebke.

The Queensland recruit looked on track to get the NT home, but when he was dismissed for 69, giving him back-to-back half-centuries in the championships, the Territory had slumped to 6-112 and looked in trouble with only Dave and the tail left to bat.

The steely Territory captain was at his best batting with the tail, and with his spinning mate Haylett they made the required 34 runs for the 10th wicket to pass Tassie’s score with one wicket left.

Assistant coach Tom Scollay was philosophical about the win, but insisted it was a complete team effort — with bat, ball and in the field.

“Look, this is about development and giving youngsters a chance to express themselves as cricketers, but we will take the wins when they come,” Scollay said.

“The wicket today was slow, it had variable bounce and turned a bit so batting was not easy. “Jet was great at the top but Adi showed maturity beyond his years batting at the end, he played the role beautifully.”

“We showed a bit yesterday (in Round 1 against NSW Metro) and came here today expecting to win and we did.”

Scoreboard — Northern Territory 9-174 (Jet Liebke 69, Adi Dave 30no, Caedence Kuepper 4-31) d Tasmania 172 (Nicholas Davis 28, Coby Edmondstone 4-27, Rajdeep Singh 2-21).