That brings us to the end of our coverage for this match. It is time for the trio of Darpan Tikiya, Karthik Raj and Ghanendra Singh Thakur to sign off. Keep following Crex from more cricketing action from around the world. Ciao!
Jack Boyle (Player of the Match):"Definitely, it got nervewracking especially when I got out. But great to finish and get the win.
I am trying to adapt my T20 game as much as possible and pleased to get the rewards today. It was awesome, Danny was keeping me level. I got a bit frantic at times."
Player of the Match: Jack Boyle
Time for the Presentation!
12:15 IST, 7:45 PM LOCAL TIME | Central Stags win by 6 wickets off the final ball.
WHAT A HUMDINGER OF A GAME! The crowd gathered at the Basin Reserve Cricket Ground this afternoon have been treated to an exhilarating contest that kept us on the edge of our seats throughout. In the end, it is the Stags who edge past the hosts. But in all fairness, it could have pretty much gone anywhere.
The flow of the chase was akin to that of a brand new soda bottle. It began with a lot of effervescence but seemed to fizzle out towards the end. Though, William Clarke — who had earlier taken a bit of a beating with the ball in hand — played a vigorous cameo to push the stuttering vehicle over the line.
The foundation was laid by Jack Boyle (77 off 43 balls) and Dane Cleaver (46 off 35). The two got together after the fall of an early wicket and stitched together a 100-run partnership. The Stags seemed to be cruising when they were at the crease. But a late fightback from Wellington Firebirds bowlers dragged the game to the last ball of the innings.
Earlier, the host team's batting innings had followed a similar script. They hit the ground running with a huge partnership between Tim Robinson (89 off 57 balls) and Tom Blundell at the top of the order but lost a bit of steam towards the end and finished short of the 200-run mark. During the course, Blair Tickner became the first bowler to pick up 100 wickets for the Central Stags in the Super Smash.
With this victory, the Stags have now moved to the top of the points table.
OVER 20
Central Stags
196/4
William Clark
23(12)
Angus Schaw
2(2)
James Hartshorn
0-42(3.0)
19.6 J Hartshorn to W Clark
4 FOUR! CLARK SEALS THE DEAL IN STYLE! CRACKING STUFF FROM THE 23-YR OLD! Full-toss outside-off, Clark heaves it behind square for a boundary as the Stags pull off a last-ball thriller. Just when the game seemed to have drifted away from the Stags, an emerging lad like Clark steps up to make a name for himself!
Remember, if the game ends up in a tie, there would be no super over.
19.5 J Hartshorn to W Clark
4 FOUR! CLARK THE MAN FOR THE EVENING! SCORES LEVEL NOW! Full and wide of off, Clark powers it straight down the ground for a boundary. What a cameo this is turning out to be!