FULL VIDEO REPLAY and match report: Massive partnership gets Storm home against Blaze

A massive batting partnership saw Southern Storm run away to victory against Desert Blaze in game five of the TIO Strike League T20 Tournament, and we were there to livestream every minute for you. WATCH THE GAME REPLAY.

A MASSIVE partnership from Josh Kann and Josh Hartill elevated Southern Storm to a six wicket win over the previously unbeaten Desert Blaze in the T20 Strike League Tournament.

The Blaze started strong and looked on to threaten right away with a 78-run stand from openers Hayden Kerr (40 runs) and Dylan Brasher (42 runs).

However, the bowling of Brodie Symons and Blade Baxter soon broke through for Storm, with both snaring two wickets.

It came down to a final stand between Jackson Isakka (18 runs) and Kierran Voelkl who pushed the score out to 6/135.

Southern Storm's Josh Kann and batting partner Josh Hartill got Storm across the line. Picture: Felicity Elliott

Matters continued to look up for Blaze when they bowled opener Samuel Fanning out cheaply.

But that would have been their last laugh with Kann (57 runs from 40 balls) and Hartill (56 runs from 52 balls) putting together an 89-run partnership.

From there Storm coasted to a 4/136 win in 18.1 overs.

Hartill’s knock came as his second big innings of the weekend after he also made a formidable 134 off 172 balls for Nightcliff in the Darwin Premier Grade competition.

“It was a great night of cricket. I’m pretty happy to score some runs and hit a bit of form towards the end of the season,” Hartill said.

“Kann and I put on a good partnership. We lost an early wicket and if we had lost another two of three we might have been in some trouble but we were able to bat with some momentum.

“It’s been really good. The boys have been really welcoming so far. I can’t wait to come back next year.

“I love the lifestyle up here. All the people have been nice to me and I’m pretty happy with the cricket and standard here. It’s been good so far.”

Kann gave plenty of plaudits to his batting partner for his work.

“We started off pretty poorly with the ball but fought back and climbing back to get them to 135 was a massive result,” Kann said.

“Good to get past 20 for myself, I’ve been getting into the 20s and getting out but I couldn’t have done it without Josh at the other end.

“He just kept ticking the ball over for me putting me back on strike.”

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THE Southern Storm and the Desert Blaze faced off in game five of the TIO Strike League T20 Tournament from 6pm on Monday, and we were there to livestream it all for you.

The NT News and Cricket NT have come together in a partnership to livestream TIO Strike League T20 Tournament which is being played at DXC Arena.

Desert Blaze already have two wins under their belt putting both Northern Tide and City Cyclones away in the opening rounds.

A win here will all but confirm there spot in the final and they have the firepower to get them there with Hayden Kerr showing form with the ball and Jackson Isakka on fire with the bat.

Southern Storm however will be keen to mark them down with the two sides set to face off again on Wednesday.

Josh Kann will be one to watch for the side in purple with the all rounder recently picking up a Hobart Hurricanes call-up.

STRIKE LEAGUE REPLAYS

WATCH THE FULL REPLAY: Desert Blaze v Northern Tide in T20 Strike League

WATCH FULL REPLAY: T20 Strike League cricket – Northern Tide v Southern Storm

WATCH REPLAY: Desert Blaze vs City Cyclones in Strike League T20 Tournament

“We’re excited to partner with News Corporation Australia to livestream all matches and we look forward to showcasing the best of the Territory on and off the field,” said NT Cricket chief executive Joel Morrison.

News Sport Network Managing Director Michael Wilkins said the company was thrilled to be partnering with NT Cricket on the T20 component of the Cricket 365 program.

“At News we are committed to bringing more sports content to our readers nationally,” he said.