Thursday, August 24, 2023

Issue:

Mackay and Whitsunday Life

Whitsundays Running Wild In T20

The Whitsunday Colts twenty-twenty cricket side have held their nerves against last year’s division premiers to record their second victory.

The young guns, fresh off last week’s win against a slick Warriors outfit who were undefeated in the first four rounds, headed into the game without a captain, a coach, or a mentor.

Stand in Captain M.Pettiford won the toss and elected to bat sending in an unchanged opening pair of N.Wylie and J.Pini to negotiate the Warriors after their 50 run partnership last week.

Disaster struck early for the Colts with a mix up between the batsmen on the third ball and J.Pini became proud owner of the first diamond duck of the season and was on his way without facing a ball.

N.Wylie(3) followed shortly afterwards and the Colts were 2/13 halfway through the 4th. C.Stroud fresh from his 62 from 72 balls for the Pitbulls game earlier in the day, went out to partner M.Pettiford with the side in a spot of bother.

This is where these two batsmen put on a masterclass display of batting and running between the wickets taking full advantage of a couple of drop catches from the fielding side early in their innings.

Captain Marvellous Mike finished on an unbeaten 72 from 53 balls and Corey, unselfishly, runout on the last delivery for 60 off 54 balls.

All of which had the Colts with a very handy total of 3-153 of their 20 overs.

Full of enthusiasm and confidence saw the young guns take to the field with the runs on the board.

Could they close out the game against their more fancied rivals?

R.Blain (2-24) picked up R.Knight for a golden duck to get the Colts high fiving, and he was well supported by B.Altmann (0-19) and C.Stroud (0-14).

Soon the side had built up a considerable tally, and N.Kleinert(1-5) bowled well with a great catch by J.Pini in the deep removing Luke Valmadre for 1, had the Warriors in trouble 7-121.

M.Pettiford (0-12), C.Woodhouse (0-21) bowled at the death and R.Blain picked up the ever dangerous C.Wren (3) in his last over to contain the Warriors to 8-129 after 20, leaving Shane Knight stranded at the other end on a shaky but unbeaten 25 from 32.

With the win the Colts have catapulted into second spot with two wins, two losses, and a draw.

The inaugural Whitsunday Colts T20 side are having excellent success in their debut season

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