Tim Ward stuns with a huge double century as University create history
A Tasmanian Tigers batsman has made records tumble at Ninja Stadium in the Cricket Tasmania Premier League A Grade grand final.
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University have claimed their first premiership since 2020/21 after dominating the opening two days of the Cricket Tasmania Premier League A Grade final at Ninja Stadium.
The Lions set the last years premiers, Kingborough, 493 for victory thanks to a massive individual performance by Tim Ward who was unbeaten on 233.
The knock saw Ward be crowned Man of the Match with University bowling Kingborough out for 112.
Ward said it was an honour to for the club to win three titles this season.
“It’s pretty special and I don’t know if we’ll ever do it again, it’s pretty hard to do,” Ward said.
“For our boys to do it through the round games and then lucky enough for me to get the runs this game, it’s pretty special.
“We were pretty clam going into the semi, we knew that our best cricket’s gonna get us across the line.
“We were pretty excited, pretty ready to go, we knew that the last few weeks didn’t go our way, the wickets probably weren’t as good as we would have liked.
“We didn’t play our best cricket and some decisions didn’t go our way but we knew that if we turned up and played our best cricket, we were going to win.”
Ward’s innings broke two records in the CTPL on Saturday but also combined with number 10, Krystian Jankowiak (59 from 112 balls) for a University ninth wicket record partnership of 156.
The other records the double centurion surpassed was the highest individual score by a University player of 215 not out set by Jamie Cox and the highest score in a CTPL final of 217 set by Ben McDermott.
“I have had a bit of luck, I had a bit of luck in the semi and went on with it,” Ward said.
“The same here, I probably should have been out for a hundred and something.
“Sometimes you need that and I got it and I was able to go in and cash in.”
University left armer Nick Walden was the pick of the Lions’ bowlers with 5-25.
Walden picked up the first four wickets in his first spell, putting Kingborough on the backfoot early and struggling at 4-54.
“He set the platform,” Ward said.
“We knew if we could get two of their top three, we were a big chance.
“We know that (Zak) Honeybrook likes to tee off a bit, so to get him early was huge for our momentum.”
Day 1 - ‘Unbelievable effort’: Tigers star lights up opening day of CTPL
-Brayden May
Tim Ward will be eyeing a double century on day two of the Cricket Tasmania Premier League grand final after batting University into a commanding position.
The Tasmanian Tigers star registered back-to-back centuries after Uni were sent into bat by Kingborough to reach 8-395 at stumps.
Ward finished the day unbeaten on 181 runs off 243 balls after coming to the crease at 1-60 when Nikethan Radhakrishnan (15 off 39) was dismissed by Zak Honeybrook.
His innings so far has included 19 boundaries and a six.
“What a day. 181 not out. 336 minutes he’s been at the crease for,” Tasmanian batter Mac Wright said on Cricket Tasmania’s live broadcast of the game.
“What an unbelievable effort.”
He was able to build off the platform laid by Tigers teammate Jake Doran (66 off 67) who went at almost a run a ball thanks to seven boundaries.
A 125-run partnership with newly crowned Emerson Rodwell medallist Param Uppal (62) helped University on their huge opening day.
When Brad Hope was dismissed for eight, the Knights threatened to tear through the University middle and lower order as the next five wickets fell for 47 runs.
Knights spinner Nivethan Radhakrishnan was a force to be reckoned with after finishing the day with figures of 5-95.
Number 10 batter Krystian Jankowiak (20 not out) proved the perfect foil for Ward late in the day as the pair put on another 84 runs before the close of play.
It was fitting Ward and his former roommate Radhakrishnan shook hands at the end of play as the leading performers for their respective sides.
Play is set to resume at Ninja Stadium from 10.30am on Saturday morning.
PREVIEW
— James Bresnehan and Jake Garland
Kingborough and University are both in top form and hunting more silverware as the Knights go for back-to-back CTPL first grade premierships and Lions hunt a clean sweep of all three trophies this season.
Even though Kingborough finished on top of the ladder, despite a major scare from New Town last week, Knights captain Dylan Hay says Uni will be the front-runner.
The loss of Tigers stars Beau Webster and Jake Weatherald, who were made unavailable for the match by higher powers, does not help the Knights.
However, all but one player from Kingborough’s grand final-winning team last season will take the field for the three-day showdown at Ninja Stadium starting on Friday.
“We would have loved to have had Jake and Beau, but it wasn’t our decision,” Hay said.
“They are not available this week, I’m not sure whose decision that was, so we go in as they underdogs.
“We’ve got one guy on contract and all of the other blokes playing are from Kingborough, so that’s a testament to the work the guys have done to get there.”
University has already won the T20 and Kookaburra Cup 50-over titles this season.
The Lions hope to become the first team since Lindisfarne five years ago to win all three trophies.
Uni allrounder Paddy Dooley says the young Lions have probably exceeded expectations this season, and he is proud of the success of the group heading into the three-day red ball grand final.
“Early in the season, as soon as any of the senior guys heard ‘oh, we’re a young team but we want to learn’, we immediately eradicated that,” Dooley said.
“We’re a first grade side that wants to compete and win games, and the second you start talking about youth, that’s an excuse.
“It has helped the boys understand the standard that we need at this level, and it has just been awesome to see different guys stepping up in different situations.”
Dooley said University’s coaching hierarchy was proud of the Lion cubs have been able to produce.
“The young guys have come in and done a job and done what the team needs,” he said.
“The best thing about our list is that we have options.
“If it’s not a particular guy’s day with the ball we have other guys who can step up and do a job as well.
“It has been fantastic to see all of the young guys compete hard and playing with passion.”
Kingborough
Zak Honeybrook – 640 runs at 35.56 – HS: 138
Kingborough’s opening bat missed out on a score in the semi final, expect him to bounce back after a light run the last two innings.
Dylan Hay – 611 runs at 33.94 – HS: 65
The main stay at number three, Hay has had a few starts over the past few weeks but is due for a big score, it could very much come this weekend.
Zac Curtain – 208 runs at 41.6 – HS: 55*
The savour from the semi final, the talented wicketkeeper-batsman is primed to continue his fine form and is set for a big grand final.
Cameron Walter – 49 wickets at 15.04 – BB: 5-37
Kingborough’s prime bowler has done it week in, week out with the ball and the opening bowler is ready to explode on the big stage.
Thomas Martyn – 333 runs at 33.3 – HS: 51 – 42 wickets at 18.12 – BB: 7-27
It was the semi-final where Martyn made his highest score of the season and picked up 4-63 from 18 overs, the playing-coach could very well do damage with both bat and ball this weekend.
University of Tasmania
Param Uppal – 928 runs at 48.84 – HS: 105 – 48 wickets at 13.69 – BB: 7-24
The Emerson Rodwell Medallist missed out with the bat in the semi-final but if the season is anything to go by, you won’t be able to keep this star down for long.
Timothy Ward – 595 runs at 59.5 – HS: 150
Fresh off a brilliant 150 in the semi final, Ward is a vital player for University this weekend, a big score from him could very well take the game away from Kingborough.
Tom Chapman – 529 runs at 24.05 – HS: 108
University’s middle order bat nicked off early in the semi final which has continued a tough run recently but if the season form is to go by a tough run of form comes with a hundred at the end of it.
Nikethan Radhakrishnan – 517 runs at 20.68 – HS: 101
University’s opening bat got a start and spent some time at the crease only to edge one to the slips but looked good and is prime for a big score on a solid batting deck this weekend.
Patrick Dooley – 25 wickets at 21.48 – BB: 4-12
Dooley spun his way through the GN Raiders batting line up in the final, ensuring the total of 304 was never in doubt and could be a very big player on Ninja Stadium’s pitch this weekend.
Originally published as Tim Ward stuns with a huge double century as University create history
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