A magnificent innings from young Nivethan Radhakrishran thwarted Greater Northern Raiders on the second day of their Cricket Tasmania Premier League match against Kingborough.
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Not out on 22 after his side reached 2-48 at stumps in reply to the Raiders' 229 on the opening day, the stylish opener dominated the rest of the contest at UTAS Stadium.
The subsequent loss of 4-21 appeared to have Raiders en route to first innings points as Evan Gulbis picked up three quickfire wickets.
However, Radhakrishran remained the thorn in their side, stubbornly accumulating as a succession of partners came and went for minimal scores.
Thomas Martyn came in at eight and proved the partner required, absorbing 209 deliveries for his 32 not out which featured a solitary boundary.
But it was Radhakrishran who stole the show, securing the first innings victory with an unbeaten knock of 144 off 301 deliveries including 13 fours and two sixes which lasted nearly seven hours.
I think he'd still be batting until Wednesday if we'd let him
- Alistair Taylor
"I think he'd still be batting until Wednesday if we'd let him," said Raiders' keeper Alistair Taylor who had a front-row view of the innings.
"We bowled really well in the first session to have them six down but then we witnessed an exceptional partnership which won them the game.
"It was fantastic to watch, exceptional stuff. He just locked in from ball one and I don't think he gave us any chances.
"We had some different tactics, we went around the wicket, bowled short, tried to nick him off, swing the ball and he just played beautifully.
"He's only just turned 19 but loves batting."
Taylor admitted it was a frustrating result.
"When the other team are 6-80 and they put on another 150 I think it's very disappointing. They showed us how to bat properly.
"We only faced 68 overs on day one, you're not going to win many games of two-day cricket doing that. If we face 90-odd overs we're probably scoring 300 most games with our batting line-up because we are aggressive batters. So day one was probably where the game was lost.
"We bowled well today but were just oudone."
Stumps were called when Kingborough surpassed the Raiders' total, securing victory on the first innings.
Gulbis returned the Raiders' best bowling figures of 3-34 off 29 overs, including 13 maidens.
In the first half of the contest last Saturday, Cooper Anthes posted 83, Alex Wynwood 51, Spencer Hayes 34 and Sam O'Mahony 27.
Rob Shaw
Heralding the impact of Tasmanian sport without saying "punching above its weight" is not as easy as it sounds.
Heralding the impact of Tasmanian sport without saying "punching above its weight" is not as easy as it sounds.
