BRAD King almost got his side home in yesterday’s Armidale Locals v Legends match played as part of the Home Ground Cricket Tour festivities.
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The game finished in a draw after Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall’s side posted 7-140 from their 20 overs and King’s side replied with 9-140.
Marshall’s side looked to be in command with the King XI 7-58 but the skipper “went crazy”, as Central North development manager Kathy Barber put it, to get his side back in the game.
After Dean Moore had hit a two and then six off the first two balls of Darren Schaefer’s last over, they got to the equation down to two runs off two balls.
The first was a dot. They then scored a single off the final ball to tie the scores.
Earlier Dawson brothers Michael (33) and Angus (23ret) started the recovery effort for the Marshall XI after special guest – former Ireland captain Trent Johnston – had gone for a golden in just the second over.
They put on 37 for the second wicket.
Marshall then chipped in with 19 ret, Sam Uphill 13 and Dave Schmude an unbeaten 23 at the end.
Brooke McElroy was the pick of the bowlers with 2-14.
Johnston (3-10) then redeemed himself for his struggles with the bat, wreaking the early havoc.
Only Ash Clee of the top six made double figures, King and Moore (38no) rescuing them with a 50-run stand for the eighth wicket.
King top-scored 51 and set the tone early with his first runs coming via the boundary.
It was the first of six fours he hit, along with two sixes.
The third of the Dawson siblings – and youngest, Kareena, was with Johnston the star with the ball for Marshall’s side.
She bowled the second last over and finished with 2-8 from her three.
The Home Ground Tour is a statewide initiative and will hit 27 regional centres in the lead-up to the 2015 World Cup.
Unfortunately due to the wet weather Saturday’s events had to be cancelled but the tour was up and running yesterday.
“It was really good,” Barber said.
She said they had about 40-50 kids participate in the activities, which included a skills clinic with Johnston.
There is also a travelling museum as part of the roadshow and interactive screens for them to play with.
The exhibition game was the only cricket played for the weekend with grade fixtures in Tamworth, Gunnedah, Armidale and Narrabri all washed out.