WA crowned Under-17 champions after epic finish

Western Australia have been crowned Under-17 men's national champions after a thrilling one-run victory over NSW Metro in Mackay on Thursday.

In one of the tightest finishes in the history of the under-age National Championships, WA claimed three wickets in the final two overs of a nail-biting clash to secure their first Under-17 title in eight years.

SCORECARD: WA beat NSW Metro by one run

Chasing 190 to win, NSW Metro were all but home when they moved to within six runs of victory with three wickets still remaining and two overs left in the match.

But Nathan Bothma produced two wickets in the penultimate over, leaving NSW Metro still five runs away from the win with just one wicket remaining.

NSW Metro crept to 9-189 before WA’s Hayden Stumpers produced a brilliant piece of fielding off his own bowling to catch No.11 Ellis Sherriff short of his ground and secure victory by the narrowest of margins.

A rain delay had earlier added to the late drama, with the match tied under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method when players were forced from the field in the 44th over.

WA skipper Cooper Connolly was named player of the match after he scored 68 in WA’s innings, while NSW Metro opener Corey Miller top scored with 71.

A 15-over spell of 2-39 from WA spinner Sharad Jessani also proved decisive in turning the match in his side’s favour.

Allrounder Connolly was also named player of the tournament and rewarded with selection in the Cricket Australia XI that will take part in the Under 19 National Championships in Perth in December.

Connolly scored 264 runs at an average of 66 and took 14 wickets at 13.71, as well as lifting the trophy as skipper of the champion side.

Another standout selection in the CA XI squad was South Australia’s Isaac Higgins, who was the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 425 runs at 85, including two centuries

U17 CA XI: Isaac Higgins (SA), Ryley Smith (NSW M), Cooper Connolly (WA), Sam Wright (Tas), Liam Blackford (Vic C) Nivethan Radhakrishnan (NSW M), Dylan Kritzinger (Qld), Toby Snell (Qld), Jackson Sinfield (Qld), Liam Dodrell (NSW M), Tom Whitney (Qld), Aiden Cahill (ACT/NSW C), Marcus Jackman (Vic M), Aubrey Stockdale (Qld). Reserves: Darcy Munro (Vic M), Jack Nisbet (NSW M), Lachlan Bell (Qld), Jordan Hesline (Vic M)