Queensland claim U17 title after 20-year wait

An unbeaten 132 from Nathan McSweeney helped Queensland overhaul NSW Metropolitan and claim the Under-17 National Championships title for the first time in 20 years. 

The state had finished the 2014-15 U17 tournament in last place but a remarkable turnaround in 12 months saw them overhaul NSW Metro's 8-262 with more than two overs to spare and five wickets still in hand.

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Winners are grinners: Queensland celebrate their victory // Getty

Queensland's run chase had started horrendously with Harrison Wood on the second ball after chipping to cover, and semi-final hero Max Bryant exiting shortly after with the score at a dicey 2-19.

Unfazed by a potent NSW Metro attack that had on Wednesday bowled out Victoria Metro for just 63 in their semi-final, McSweeney consolidated and with the help of AIS-AFL academy player Jack Clayton (45) to put on 95 before Clayton was bowled.

The loss of another wicket didn't deter McSweeney who powered on, picking out cover as his favourite scoring region and hitting 18 boundaries in his unbeaten 132.

Lachlan Prince played a great foil for McSweeney, hitting 70 runs in quick time before he was caught at cover with the score at 5-243.

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McSweeney' salutes his father in the stands at AB Field // Brody Grogan

A punch through cover from McSweeney saw the side over the line and lift the cup for only the fifth time in the tournament's 38-year history.

"It's pretty good to perform in the final but I couldn't have done it without Lachlan Prince at the other end… I can't thank the rest of the team enough for working hard during the pre-season," McSweeney said.

"The first person I looked to when I made the hundred was my dad; I knew he was up in the grandstand so when I saw him I raised the bat for him."

Queensland coach John Davison, Australia's national spin coach, said the squad had been given the opportunity to play with freedom from the start.

"I'm extremely proud of the way they have gone about it, the attacking brand of cricket they have played, I think it is a step forward for under 17s cricket to be able to chase 250 in consecutive games," Davison said.

The home side played in front of a crowd of about 1000 at the Allan Border Field, in front of family, friends and, importantly, Cricket Australia's talent managers, including Ryan Harris who will coach the best of the U17s in an CA XI team to compete at the Under-19 National Championships.

"It's a great stepping stone for the boys and if they continue to work hard great things could happen," added Davison.

The New South Wales Metropolitan squad won the toss and started well, led by Penrith batsman Ryan Hackney who hit his third century of the carnival.

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Penrith's Ryan Hackney finished with a tournament-high 495 runs // Brody Grogan

Hackey was eventually out for 112, having racked up an impressive 495 runs at 82.5 for the entire carnival.

Hackney was aptly supported by James Robertson (43) and Ryan Mizzi (48) with the NSW Metropolitan side reaching a more-than-competitive 8-262 at the close of innings.

Queensland quick Mitchell Bunker claimed 4-52 including three quick wickets to restrict what was free-flowing scoring throughout the middle overs.