Wollongong District crowned Cricket Illawarra T20 champions for 2023/24 after inspiring century, 45+ photos gallery
There are new top dogs in the Cricket Illawarra scene after Wollongong were crowned T20 champions, thanks to a massive century from a superstar batter. Check out the full wrap and 45+ PHOTOS.
“It’s about time we got one.”
These were the words of co-captain David Woods after Wollongong District emerged as Cricket Illawarra T20 champions, defeating Keira in the grand final.
Inspired by the magical batwork of century-star Ethan Debono (116*), Wollongong’s total set of 188, with just two wickets falling, was far too much for Keira to chase down.
It was truly the Debono show, leaving the Keira bowling line-up with no answers as he smashed 13 boundaries and four maximums in a dominant display.
This will no doubt fuel him with confidence ahead of the senior men’s Country Championship and Country Plan B Bash with Greater Illawarra next week.
His opening batting partner and co-captain, Jayden Zahra-Smith (38), accompanied him at the crease for most of the innings, before his eventual stumping by Oliver Needham.
Cooper Maddinson (22) was the only other casualty for Wollongong, with Toby Dodds (8*) seeing out the end of the innings alongside the untouchable Debono.
Come Keira’s time to chase, the dismissal to opener Eddie Marning (18) in the third over put them on the back foot, leaving Wollongong to ruthlessly dispatch of the batting line-up.
David Woods was at his usual best with the ball, dispatching of Marning, as well as usual batting threats Mitchell Hearn (4) and Zach Churchill (5) for measly scores.
Pushpinder Jassal and Jayden Zahra-Smith both picked up a couple of wickets each, with Cooper Maddinson and Joshua Yeaman also getting in on the act in a dominant bowling display.
Ethan Debono’s highlight reel wasn’t finished yet either, picking up a freakish catch on James Chappell (18). Chappell would flick it behind the stumps to Debono in wicket keeper, flicking it up on the full with his foot and taking the catch in superb fashion.
Ryan Cattle (28) ended up being the best batter from the bottom of the order for Keira, but in the end the side were all bowled out for 114 in the 18th over, declaring Wollongong as new T20 champions.
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Both sides now turn their attention towards the one-day season, having both got off the mark with a win in round one.
Wollongong District 2-188 (Debono 116*, Zahra-Smith 38; Voysey 1-30, Coleman 1-30) def. Keira 10/114 (R Cattle 28, Marning 18; Wood 3-22, Jassal 2-19)
Photo gallery
Originally published as Wollongong District crowned Cricket Illawarra T20 champions for 2023/24 after inspiring century, 45+ photos gallery
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