Former Cowra cricketer Hamish Starr was a key contributor to ACT/NSW Country victory at the Australian Under 19 Championships, finishing the carnival with three wickets, supporting Dubbo’s Henry Railz, who dominated throughout the tournament.
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Railz played a match-winning knock in the semi-final of the Cricket Australia Under 19 National Championships at Adelaide on Wednesday and then in Thursday’s rain-affected final against Queensland he took a wicket and made key runs in the middle order to seal a brilliant title victory.
The final was a dramatic and tense one as Queensland had reached 2/46 early on before the heavens opened over Karen Rolton Oval and the rain tumbled down.
A rain delay of more than five hours ensued and when the match restarted it was changed to a Twenty20 fixture.
NSW Country/ACT produced a fine effort with the ball in tremendously windy conditions as Queensland was restricted to 7/124 from its 20 overs.
Railz changed his pace and lengths up brilliantly in his three late overs and finished with 1/22.
He then came to the crease with the score at 2/43 in the chase and after a slow start soon found his timing, making 29 from 26 before being caught in the deep.
While there was some nervy moments late, his side got the job done with five balls to spare.
“It was sensational,” Railz said, adding it was the highlight of his career up to this point.
“That’s why you play cricket, for moments like that and I’ve put a lot of work in. Not just during pre-season but in the last few years so it was good to get a reward for all that.
Railz’s handy performance in the final followed on from a terrific showing in the semi-final win over a previously unbeaten NSW Metro.
The former South Dubbo star made 78 from 68 balls as NSW Country/ACT fought back from a tough position to reach the lofty target of 274 with one ball to spare and two wickets in hand.
Railz said his mindset was key to his performances throughout the tournament.
“I went in with an idea I’d get an opportunity and I just had to grab it,” he said.
The ACT/NSW Country Squad featured several players from the Central West, with Dubbo’s Marty Jeffrey featuring in addition to Railz and Starr, while Brock Larance, also from Dubbo, featured in the Cricket Australia XI Under 17s side.
