The CiteCon Kingfishers soared to their second Porters Mitre 10 T20 Smash title on Saturday night, defeating the Gibbs Air & Refrigeration Crocs in a thrilling Grand Final at Great Barrier Reef Arena.
Led by captain Sam Vassallo, who won the toss and chose to bat first, the Kingfishers set the tone early in front of a lively crowd and online audience tuning into the Mackay Cricket Association’s livestream. The highly anticipated clash had been billed as a battle between the Kingfishers’ dominant run and the Crocs’ hunger to cause an upset – and it delivered every bit of drama expected of a championship decider.
The night, however, belonged to Zane Newton. Returning home to Mackay from Brisbane, where he plays with Northern Suburbs Cricket Club, Newton produced a match-winning performance with 46 runs and a wicket. His efforts earned him the Player of the Final award and ensured the Kingfishers’ crown remained firmly in place.
The triumph capped off an outstanding campaign for the Kingfishers, backed by team owners Bec and Brad Gardner from CiteCon, head coach Luke Kennedy, and a squad that combined consistent firepower with depth across the park. Their success confirmed the Kingfishers as the benchmark side of the competition, building on the momentum from their previous championship.
While the Kingfishers lifted the trophy, it was BTB Electrical Breakers’ Mitchell Wadsworth who walked away with the competition’s highest individual honour, being named Player of the Tournament. Wadsworth tallied 147 runs, including two half-centuries, and claimed 11 wickets – highlighted by an impressive five-wicket haul. His all-round brilliance across the six rounds made him an undeniable choice for the award.
Coaches also cast their votes for the Porters Mitre 10 T20 Smash Team of the Tournament, recognising 12 standout performers. Among those named were Kingfishers trio Vassallo, Jaxn Sign and rising under-20 talent Jack Law, alongside Crocs representatives Etienne Pretorius, Mahesh Rajaratne, Lane Kohler and Luke Jackson.
The CiteCon Kingfishers
Action from the Porters Mitre 10 T20 Smash series between the CiteCon Kingfishers and the Gibbs Air & Refrigeration Crocs at Great Barrier Reef Arena. Photo source: Mackay Cricket (Facebook)
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