NSW Country have claimed the first silverware of the Australian Country Championships in Geraldton, taking out the Twenty20 competition on the back of a sensational batting display from North Coastal’s Caleb Ziebell.
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Ziebell, who crushed the Northern Inland Bolters’ Plan B Regional Bash finals hopes with a brilliant 128 from 64 balls, repeated his heroics with an unbeaten 110 (off 60 balls) as the Bush Blues posted 3-190.
The Jeff Cook-coached side containing South Tamworth’s Tom O’Neill and Tom Groth, then rolled Queensland Country for 151 to complete an undefeated Twenty20 competition.
Making his Bush Blues debut, O’Neill finished with five wickets after picking up 1-21 in their opening win over Western Australia, 2-24 against East Asia Pacific and 2-23 against South Australia.
Groth meanwhile has figured prominently with the gloves and the bat, grabbing nine catches and producing a match-winning knock against Victoria Country.
Chasing Victoria’s 8-101, his unbeaten 20 off 11 balls, which included two fours and a six, guided them to victory with one ball to spare.
After a rest day on Monday, NSW Country resume their campaign against East Asia Pacific on Tuesday as the tournament moves into 50 over mode.
