GSCA 2024-25: Flynn Cristinelli-inspired Tambellup dominate T20 double headers

A pair of big knocks from Tambellup captain Flynn Cristinelli helped his side to two impressive victories in the Great Southern Cricket Association’s T20 double headers on Saturday. Flynn Cristinelli belted a rapid 88 in Tambellup’s 27-run win over Australs North before slapping 83 runs against Katanning Wanderers to register their second win of the day. After winning the toss and electing to bat at top oval, Tambellup finished their 20 overs on 4-162 with Flynn Cristinelli leading the charge whacking 13 fours and one six in his 53-ball innings. Lions’ Jack Thompson was expensive in his two overs leaking 23 runs but picked up two wickets while captain Holly Pearce claimed the crucial scalp of Flynn Cristinelli. In reply, the Lions made a sound start through James Douglas (18) and Englishman Archie Atwell (26) who added 61 for the opening stand. Atwell hit eight boundaries in his agricultural innings before Tambellup’s bowling attack applied the clamps on the Lions and restricted their growing run rate. Carson Dewar (31 runs) and Kane Scott (20) combined for a cautious 46-run third-wicket stand, ultimately leaving themselves too much work to do late and the home side ended their overs at 6-135. Flynn Cristinelli cashed in on his hot form, bashing 83 from just 66 balls including 10 fours in a commanding 69-run win over the Tigers at Quartermaine Oval. The Tigers were made to rue their decision of sending Tambellup into bat, as Flynn Cristinelli and Shane Willmott (63 not out) combined for a match-defining 139-run second-wicket partnership. The pair smacked 16 fours between them as Tambellup reached 3-164. The Tigers found few contributors but Tuhiwai McRoberts top-scored with 21 from 40 deliveries while English international Joe Raynor scored a speedy 19 but their side fell well short at 9-95 from 20 overs. Reigning premiers Broomehill chalked up their first wins of the season, with victories over the Tigers and Kendenup. Jack Batchelor scored 47 runs from 36 balls and Max Jordison added a crucial 22 runs as the Bandicoots posted 8-138 in their first game. Raynor smashed 62 runs from 48 balls in reply but was forced to play a lone hand as no teammates made it past 10 runs, the Tigers reaching 9-113 in reply. David Hinchcliffe took 3-6 from three overs and Mac Crichton picked up 2-20. David Hinchcliffe then converted his form with the ball into a starring performance with the bat, carrying the willow with 89 as the Bandicoots made 3-179 against Kendenup in Tambellup. The aggressive left-hander cracked 11 boundaries, including three maximums, in his swashbuckling innings while Crichton (26) and Lewis Barritt (20) also contributed. WA Country XI colts player Cam Walsh ploughed 76 runs with nine boundaries and Scott Hillman added a conservative 41 in a sensational 126-run opening stand but left their run too late, falling 17 runs short as they ended their innings on 3-162. Ladder leaders Kojonup handed Kendenup a 21-run loss earlier in the day at Tambellup. Without their damaging skipper Liam Want, the Cougars still managed 5-129 from their first innings with Travis Abbott hitting 47 runs from 31 balls. Geoffrey Pethick (34 runs) and stand-in captain Craig Clinch (26) added vital runs while Kendenup’s Samuel Bunny took 2-25 from four overs. Kendenup’s top order all found starts through Hillman (21 runs), Walsh (28) and Jakob Douglas (20) but none were able to go on with it. Cougars‘ Griffin Howard starred with the ball taking 3-40 from four overs as Kendenup were skittled for 109 in the 19th over. The Cougars and Lions’ round three clash will be scheduled at a later date under lights, which is likely to be on a Friday night.