Twenty20: Ballarat triumph makes night to remember

By Tim O'Connor
Updated November 2 2012 - 4:03pm, first published March 4 2011 - 1:45pm

IT WAS nothing more than an exhibition match, but Ballarat Cricket Association’s Twenty20 victory over the Australian Cricketers’ Association masters will always be a highlight for the 12 players that achieved it.The BCA’s invitational team last night clinched a three-wicket win over the tourists, chasing down its target of 125 with three wickets and one over remaining.An onslaught from ACA openers Matthew Elliott (30) and Ryan Campbell (26), who put on a quickfire 53 for the first wicket, threatened to take the game away from the BCA early in the evening.But the introduction of Dunnstown paceman Jaye Cahir (2-26), and then Mt Clear spinner Steve Nicholson (2-18) and Darley left-armer Matt Cape (2-18) helped break through the ACA top order and slow the run-rate.A handy 24 from South Australian Ben Johnson and 30 Queensland great Jimmy Maher steadied the ACA through the middle order, and allowed the visitors to reach a respectable 8-124 at the end of 20 overs.Brown Hill stroke-maker Sam Giblett didn’t waste any time in making his intentions clear, cracking former Australian quick Mick Lewis for a massive six over mid-off from the opening ball of the BCA innings.East Ballarat skipper Nathan Yates (two) and ex-Wendouree youngster Mathew Begbie (five) both fell cheaply, and when Giblett departed for 17 the home side was in trouble at 3-30.Western Australian Jo Angel claimed his fourth wicket when he had Brown Hill captain Ryan Knowles caught for 13, soon followed by Wendouree leader Heath Pyke (five) to leave the BCA 5-46 in the ninth over.It was a vital sixth-wicket partnership of 74 between Cape and Mounties all-rounder Darren Fletcher that saved the BCA.Cape, who made a century for the Lions at club level on Saturday, hit four fours and a six in his 47 (34 balls), while Fletcher hit one six in his 25 (24 balls).Both were dismissed shortly before the ACA’s total was eclipsed, leaving former North Ballarat bat Matt Crouch (0 not out) and Nicholson (six not out) to carry the BCA to victory.Angel was easily the pick of the bowlers, snaring 4-21 from four overs.

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