Brad Thomas has delivered one of the most explosive batting performances seen in Canberra's premier cricket competition, launching five consecutive sixes in a single over to power his team to a crushing victory.
A Destructive Over That Stopped Play
The carnage unfolded during a Cricket ACT Twenty20 clash at Kippax Oval on Saturday. Chasing a modest target of 112 set by Weston Creek Molonglo, the Ginninderra Tigers found themselves in a spot of bother at 2-20. That was before Thomas walked to the crease and turned the game on its head.
Facing the bowling of Blake Faunce, the powerful striker wasted little time. After a dot ball to start the over, Thomas proceeded to clear the leg-side boundary with astonishing ease five times in a row. The sheer force of the hitting led to a remarkable scene where the seven-ball over took more than 10 minutes to complete, as fielders were forced to search for lost balls.
"That was extraordinary. That was some of the cleanest hitting I think I've seen," said ACT Comets and Ginninderra captain Scott Murn, drawing comparisons to big-hitting legend Ethan Bartlett.
Thomas Cements His Fearsome Reputation
The onslaught propelled Thomas to a blistering, unbeaten 71 runs from just 25 deliveries, steering the Tigers to their target in a mere 9.2 overs. The over yielded a staggering 33 runs, with a no-ball adding to the bowler's misery. Thomas narrowly missed a historic sixth six, swatting the final ball for two runs to ironic cheers from his teammates.
Scott Murn was unequivocal about the batsman's standing after the display, stating, "Brad Thomas, if he wasn't already, he is now one of the most feared ball strikers in Canberra." Murn praised Thomas's hard work behind the scenes and his evolving understanding of how to score runs effectively.
The victory bolstered Ginninderra's strong position across the Cricket ACT formats. The Tigers now sit second on the Twenty20 ladder, are first in the two-day competition, and hold third spot in the one-day league, putting them in contention for a rare treble of titles.
A Landmark Match for a Canberra Cricket Stalwart
The extraordinary innings also served as a fitting backdrop for a significant milestone. Veteran scorer Adam Morehouse officiated his record-breaking 241st ACT first grade match during the game. Morehouse, a revered stats guru and historian of Canberra cricket, has scored numerous remarkable knocks over nearly two decades of service.
"To see him still going strong, and loving his cricket ... it's been a real privilege," Murn said of Morehouse's enduring contribution to the sport in the region.
Looking ahead, Murn will now shift focus to captaining the ACT Comets in a Second XI fixture against Tasmania in Hobart. He expressed optimism about the future of cricket in Canberra, highlighting a talented and hungry new generation of players rising through the club ranks.
"The cohort of young players we have at the moment is as strong as I've seen," Murn said. "I think that bodes really well for the future of the region."
