Super Smash 2017-18: Northern Knights cruise to title victory

In an enthralling summit clash, the Northern Knights claimed the Super Smash Twenty20 title by nine wickets over the Central Stags earlier today in Hamilton. The Knights earned the home final by finishing top of the round-robin with the best record of the six domestic associations.

Batting first, the Stags could only muster up 99 runs with George Worker top scoring with 37, while NK all-rounder Anton Devcich was chief destroyer with the ball taking three wickets. The 32-year-old then backed up with the bat, with an unbeaten knock of 51 runs, as the Knights reached their target with 11 overs to spare.

The win got Northern Knights their first title since 2014. Overall it was the second domestic Twenty20 crown in Northern’s history and an ecstatic triumph for new Knights T20 coach Gareth Hopkins. Hopkins was given the job in a specialist role this season, with incumbent James Pamment retained for the one-day and first-class competitions, before recently accepting a fielding coach job with the Mumbai Indians in the IPL.

Match Details

The hosts at Seddon Park dictated terms after the visitors won the toss and opted to bat first, with the Stags managing only to limp to 99-8 off their 20 overs. Brent Arnel, Scott Kuggeleijn and Chris Jordan bowled excellent line and length to put the Stags’ top-order under immediate pressure. Kuggeleijn’s pace brought him two wickets and it took the visitors 17 balls before they found the boundary.

The Knights backed up their bowlers with a stellar fielding display, highlighted by a stunning leap and grab by Brownlie one-handed off Devcich’s bowling to remove top-scorer

That set the scene for Northern’s chase of 99. The Knights tallied six boundaries even before the third over had finished as openers Tim Seifert (23 off 12 balls) and Devcich (51 not out off 24) got them off to a quick start. No 3 Brownlie (28no) soon featured, taking five fours in a scintillating batting display off one over from Blair Tickner.

It was then Devcich who went one better as he struck a four off every ball of the next over bowled by left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel. The victory came with 11.1 overs to spare, handing Northern Knights $80,000 prizemoney while Central Stags, who ended runners-up last season too, took $20,000 for second place.

Brief scores

Central Districts – 99/8 (20) George Worker – 37(33), Anton Devcich – 3/16

Northern Knights – 103/1 (8.5) Anton Devcich – 51*(24)

Northern Knights won by 9 wickets