ONE of Ben Mitchell’s best days on the field has helped the Central West Wranglers book their place in the Plan B Regional Bash finals at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mitchell, fresh off his Under 17s National Championships campaign, blasted 12 boundaries on his way to 81 runs before producing three wickets and a direct hit run out in his side’s 73-run win over the Illawarra Flames at George Park 1 on Sunday.
Mitchell and Matt Corben (45 not out) delivered a century stand for the fourth wicket to help the Wranglers reach 5-176 at the end of their 20 overs.
ACT/NSW Country representative Mitchell then found team-best figures of 3-24 to help roll the Flames for 103 in the 18th over.
“It was great fun out there today. I really enjoyed it. I had to steady the ship at the start then look at getting on with the job later in the innings,” Mitchell said.
“Corbs batted really well and helped release a lot of the pressure on me and I helped him out too. It was a great partnership.”
Keep up to date with the latest sports news by clicking here.
The visitors gave the Wranglers a scare early in the match.
Illawarra’s Rhys Voysey repeated his effort from his team’s earlier victory against the Orana Outlaws when he terrorised the Wranglers’ top order.
He had Ben Sheehan (4) and Nic Broes (4) both caught behind and Adam Ryan’s promising innings came to an end on 20 with a mistimed shot.
Corben arrived at the crease alongside Mitchell with the score at 3-36.
Mitchell was granted an early reprieve when he was dropped at short mid on and he immediately punished the Flames with back-to-back boundaries.
Little did the visitors know their punishment was going to be more severe.
Mitchell smashed six fours and six sixes on his way to 81, producing a partnership of 114 alongside Corben.
The big innings came to an end when Mitchell was stumping off the bowling of Jason Bunyan, but only after delivery a six and a four to start the over.
Corben took time to play his way into his innings but once he got settled in he proved impossible to rattle.
Josh Doherty (12) also provided an entertaining, late cameo at the crease.
Wranglers opening bowlers Matt Stephen and Tanvir Singh had the timbers in their sights. Stephen clean bowled Mitch Hearn (3) and Tom McDevitt (13) while Singh did the same to Jye Phillips (14).
Illawarra found themselves in a similar position to the Wranglers, sitting on 3-38, but there was to be no big-hitting saviour for the visitors.
Luke Durancic (20) let off some late fireworks for the Flames but it wasn’t enough to trouble the Wranglers.
Darryl Kennewell (2-27) and Stephen (2-19) each finished with a pair of wickets.
Did you know that you can sign up for our free morning headlines email?
Alexander Grant
Part of the Western Advocate's sports desk in Bathurst.
Part of the Western Advocate's sports desk in Bathurst.
