Aussie star smacks another ton for Whittington
Lachlan O’Connor blasted Whittington to the Staff Clubs First Team KO final with another devastating display of hitting.
The Australian overseas star continued his stunning run of form in the competition by plundering an unbeaten 175 in Whittington’s semi-final success against Wednesbury.
O’Connor’s knock contained a staggering 21 sixes and seven fours and came from just 63 balls.
The 23-year-old from Sydney is certainly proving a T20 specialist with his latest heroics following on from his quarter-final exploits where he hit six sixes in an over on his way to a century against Rugeley, while he smacked a 144 from 62 balls in the first round victory over Pelsall.
In three games in the competition, he has now cleared the ropes 45 times, while smashing 430 runs from 168 deliveries.
O’Connor’s latest batting blitz helped fire Whittington to a massive total of 301-1 from 20 overs. He gained excellent support from fellow opener Daniel Wilks who struck 87 from 41 balls.
Wednesbury gave it a good shot in reply at Whittington’s Vicarage Lane ground with their own import, South African Arend De Waal Gagiano leading the way.
Fresh from smacking a Staffs Clubs top flight league record 265 not out at the weekend, Gagiano hit 93 from 32 balls.
Skipper Sajid Nazir hit 49 from 20 balls and Omar Ali weighed in with a 26-ball 58 but Wednesbury couldn’t maintain the momentum and end on 244-6. Just for good measure, O’Connor chipped in with the ball as he picked up 2-26 from three overs.
Beacon will be the side aiming to end O’Connor’s six-hitting exploits in the final at Cannock on September 10.
They booked their place with a 37-run success against Penn at Mount Road.
Having opted to bat first, all-rounder Tom Bingham and Dan Green were the chief run-getters for Beacon.
Bingham ended unbeaten on 45 from 29 balls while skipper Green made 44 off 21 as the boys from the Bratch posted 169-8.
Experienced seamer Imran Jamshed took 4-21 while George Nock ended with figures of 2-26 from his four overs.
Penn’s reply stuttered from the start as they slipped to 35-3.
Vikul Lal (27) and Nock (25) tried to lead a fightback while Josh Heath (23) offered some late resistance but the hosts were dismissed for 132 in the 18th over.
Oliver Green took 3-16 for Beacon with 15-year-old off-spinner Archie Harris claiming 3-31 and South African Jarrod Alberts 2-18.
