By David Nagel
A last-ball boundary from captain Mat Campbell has secured Merinda Park (7/155) a place in the CCCA T20 Kookaburra Cup Premier Division grand final after a thrilling victory over Pakenham (6/152).
The Cobras will face CCCA powerhouse Kooweerup in the competition decider at Devon Meadows on Sunday 4 February after Campbell’s last-ball Tuesday night heroics.
Merinda Park’s victory was set up by its marquee-player Luke Shelton, with the Casey South-Melbourne captain crunching an unbeaten 66 off just 46 balls.
Shelton smashed five boundaries and two sixes in his match-winning knock after walking to the crease with the Cobras in trouble at 3/24.
He shared important partnerships with Rumesh Ranasinghe (9), Liam Bertrand (25), Tyson Bertrand (6) and Raveen Kadirahettiarachchi (7), but found himself at the bowlers end when Campbell walked to the crease with just four balls remaining in the match.
Needing four runs to win, Campbell was kept scoreless by Pakenham ace Chris Smith (3/19) in his first two balls, before hitting two off the penultimate ball of the contest.
Needing one run off the last ball to tie, Campbell found the ropes to begin joyous celebrations.
Smith and James Close (2/30) were best with the ball for the Lions, who failed to build on a very good start to their innings.
A huge total looked possible after Smith (47 off 30), Bobby Wilson (30), Dale Tormey (20) and Stuart Johnson (20) set the top-order alight, before Ranasinghe (3/25 off 4) reined the Lions batters back in.
Ranasinghe continued his amazing form in the Kookaburra Cup, having now claimed three-wicket hauls in all four games the Cobras have competed in.
Campbell (2/21 off 4) was also instrumental in containing the Lions; a precursor to his late heroics.
In the other Premier Division semi-final, Kooweerup (5/200) was far too good for Devon Meadows (9/145) at Denhams Road.
Adam McMaster (45 not out off 22) and Gamini Kumara (43 not out off 24) finished off the Demons’ innings in impression fashion after Sahan Perera (37), Mitch Davey (36) and Luke McMaster (28) set up the innings nicely.
Panthers’ skipper Lucas Ligt (51 off 32) threatened Kooweerup early in the run-chase, but multiple wickets to Steve Dillon (3/22) and Cody Miller (2/12) ensured the Demons stamped their ticket to the big dance.
In District Division, Cranbourne Meadows will defend its crown against NNG/Maryknoll after low-scoring semi-final contests.
Cranbourne Meadows (3/130) took 15 overs to hunt down Officer’s modest total of 9/128 at Starling Road, while the Marygoons defended brilliantly after making just 9/111 against Lang Lang.
Cranbourne Meadows were well served by Parminder Singh (53 not out off 35) and Rohit Sharma (41 off 37) in the successful hunt for victory, while Nathan Phillips (3/23) and Will Taylor (2/19) were the heroes for the Goon, keeping the Swamp Tigers to just 7/100 in reply.
The District Division grand final will also take place at Devon Meadows on Sunday 4 February in a blockbuster double-header finish to the T20 Kookaburra Cup competition.
CCCA Kookaburra Grand Finals
Sunday 4 February
Glover Reserve: Devon Meadows
PREMIER
Merinda Park v Kooweerup
DISTRICT
Cranbourne Meadows v Lang Lang
