Round three of the BPL was underway at Ivor Marsden Memorial Park, as the Northern Kings were hunting down a first place finish, as they had already clinched a finals berth. On the other hand the Gold Coast Waveriders were looking for a finals position.
Kings openers Jack Cooper and Sam Wilson were not wasting any time as they got the King’s off to a great start, going at a run rate of 9 an over. Cooper was targeting the bowlers early and got some huge sixers, until he was caught at cover for 24. Captain Tom Healy and other opener Sam Wilson controlled the middle overs well, keeping the run rate at a consistent 9 an over. The pressure was mounting on the Waveriders, and it was showing, as Kushaal Ram bowled an 11 ball over after multiple wides and no balls. Wilson reached 50 and anchored the innings for the Kings, while Tom Healy had a true captain’s knock and also got a half century as the pair continued to put the pressure on the Waveriders. Waveriders broke the partnership with Harry McNeilly getting the wicket of Wilson for 50, but it was a bit too late, as the damage had already been done with an 87 run partnership. A late cameo from Luke Pollock was cut short after Hassan Sardar stood up for the Waveriders and got the dangerous wicket. Once again Nikhil Chaundhary got another amazing catch of his bowling, to get the wicket of Healy for 53, which really prevented some late runs by the Kings, as they finished up for 4/184.
Waveriders captain, Rajiv Chandrasekar said at the innings break (summarised), that a score of 180 was expected as the wicket was flat and the outfield was fast. When asked whether his team was under pressure for a finals spot , he said that finals was not in their minds and that they were focused on this match and here to enjoy cricket and also stick to their plan.
If you thought the Kings got off to a flying start with the bat you should have seen the Waveriders start, as they got 22 runs off the first over and finished with 64 runs after the opening powerplay. Led by Harry McNeilly and Addy Grewal they were going at 17 runs an over through the powerplay and were maximising the use of the extra fielders in the circle. Some huge sixers and a constant influx of boundaries between the pair made this match an exciting one, and was once again showcasing the talent and excitement in the BPL. The exciting pair were surfing through the Kings bowling and still went hunting for the boundaries after the powerplay. Spinner Gopy Ramgharia got the much needed wicket of Addy Grewal
for 36 off just 15 deliveries and closed an amazing 82 run opening partnership of just 38 balls. Hugo Burdon and Harry McNeilly showed their creative batting skills, utilizing the reverse sweep and paddle shot, not to mention some huge sixers straight down the ground and also over mid wicket. McNeilly reached 50 off just 22 balls and the Waveriders reached the 100 mark after 7 overs. McNeilly and Burdon never took their foot off the pedal and continued to hit the Kings around the park. McNeilly eventually fell for 85 off 45 balls, which came with 15 boundaries, after he was caught at long off with Gopy Ramgharia picking up his second wicket of the match. Even after the wicket, the Waveriders were able to cruise home and take the victory with Hugo Burdon finishing with 47 off 25 not out, and Patrick Cotter also 10 not out. In the end the Waveriders dethroned the Kings and picked up a crucial win to keep their finals hopes alive. Waveriders winning by 8 wickets.
