Brad Hogg’s Inswing Ignition complete Southern Smash rags to riches story in rematch of the heavyweights

Inswing Ignition completed a fairytale rags to riches story, as they claimed the 2020 Southern Smash title in impressive fashion in front of a strong crowd on Tuesday afternoon. The Inswing franchise went through the inaugural Southern Smash winless and after rebranding themselves to the Ignition for the expanded six-team competition, they became champions following a 27-run win over the Camtrans Bulldogs in the grand final. Ignition had to hold their nerve in a thrilling super-over semifinal against the Retravision Warriors but they won the toss and set about posting a winning total on Turf North. Led by UK professional Cameron Steel and Australia’s dual World Cup-winning spinner Brad Hogg, the Ignition orchestrated a remarkable turnaround in 2020. Steel blasted 71 runs from 55 balls at the top of the order, as he and Kallen Bond got their side off to a fast start. Bond was the first player to fall on 23 to Darius D’Silva after a 52-run opening stand. D’Silva snared left-hander Shayne Wornes for one but he then limped from the field with a side injury after snaring 2-10. Goldfield’s seamer Dylan Hinchliffe had Luke Gollan caught behind and that brought Dan Rees to the wicket. Rees helped up the scoring rate as he crunched 27 from as many balls, only to be run out from a Matt Clothier direct hit. Rodney Ford hit one lusty late blow as Ignition finished 4-156 with Steel’s knock including two fours and two sixes. In reply the Bulldogs made a terrific start as they scored at eight runs an over in the first 10. Michael Tassone (22 runs from 14 balls) and Bevan Bennell (31 off 22) set the platform for their side with a 52-run stand. However Tassone was trapped in front by Bond (3-33) and that sparked a collapse as the Bulldogs limped to 6-95. Hogg ripped through the middle order, getting the prize scalp of Bennell in his match-winning four-over spell of 3-8. Former Australian batsman Travis Birt, who was coming off a blistering 85 in the semifinal, remained at the crease as wickets fell around him. The Bulldogs needed 51 from 36 balls but all hope for the Bulldogs evaporated when teenager fast bowler Tyler King had Birt caught in the deep after he skied a ball to Steel on 29. Steel took the final wicket as the Bulldogs were bowled out for 129. Ignition captain Ryan Kinnear said it was a marvellous turnaround from his squad. “Credit to our boys with our recruiting this year, we hit the nail on the head,” Kinnear said. “Bringing in Steelo and Bondy at the top of the order made a huge difference and we took a bit of a punt with Tyler King who is a promising junior paceman and it paid dividends. “We knew that we needed to push 160 with the firepower they had and we had a strong spin attack that suited the wicket. “Hoggy bowled exceptional, he’s a champion player and he proved that. What a great experience for our boys to be a part of and to play in the competition with him. “Winning the semifinal was tight, in a super over. At times we had control and then Retravision came back and the tournament was highlighted by a lot of close finishes and that shows the quality of cricket.”