A Kiwi-born American captain, a Dutch player and a handful of Americans have helped a Victorian cricket team spring a big upset in the Caribbean.
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Yes, you read that right and it just about sums up the state of world cricket at the moment.
On Saturday (AEDT), Cricket Victoria defeated the Guyana Amazon Warriors by four wickets at Guyana Stadium in Providence as part of the Global Super League (GLS).
Earlier this month, Cricket Victoria announced the line-up that would contest the Global Super League, and it’s safe to say it was a seriously motley crew that was assembled.
The league is effectively a multinational exhibition tournament featuring five teams from different domestic T20 competitions around the world.
Along with Victoria and the Guyana Warriors, the Hampshire Hawks, Lahore Qalandars and Rangpur Riders are the other teams competing.
Cricket Victoria entered the game as massive underdogs, given Australians Max Birthisel, Blake Macdonald, Jackson Smith and Callum Stow were all making their T20 debut for Cricket Victoria.
The commentators explained players contracted by Cricket Victoria weren’t available for the tournament because Australia’s domestic cricket season is in full swing.
Victoria hadn’t fielded a T20 side since 2011 prior to the inception of the Big Bash League.
Watch Cricket Victoria get the win over Guyana in the video above
Guyana’s side featured the likes of South African veteran Imran Tahir, England all-rounder Moeen Ali, and West Indies wicketkeeper Shai Hope.
Guyana batted first and posted a total of 6/162 off 20 overs, with Moeen topscoring with 51 off 33 balls.
Jackson Smith finished with figures of 2/38 off four overs, while Callum Stow impressed with 1/17 off four overs.
Stow could have had another wicket, but Smith was judged to not have been in control of the ball when juggling a catch in the outfield.
In reply, it was the non-Victorians who did the damage for Cricket Victoria with the bat.
England’s Joe Clarke, who has played for both Melbourne teams in the Big Bash, scored 17 off 14 balls.
Dutch wicketkeeper-batter Scott Edwards scored 31 off 25 and America duo Sanjay Krishnamurthi (24 off 17) and Karima Gore (36 off 24) also chipped in to get the Victorians home with four balls to spare in a thriller.
Victorian coach David Hussey and captain Corey Anderson looked ecstatic as the Cricket Victoria side celebrated in the dugout.
“Let’s be honest. Moeen Ali and Imran Tahir have played more T20 cricket matches between them than the entirety of this Cricket Victoria squad,” one of the TV commentators said.
“What a scout this has been. A wonderful victory for Cricket Victoria. Defying the odds and making a statement in their very first match in this tournament. Smiles all round.
“That’s extraordinary. It really is. Even before a ball was bowled, you’d have given them little chance.
“They’ve been overturned by a ragtag bunch that’s just been put together.”
Anderson has represented both New Zealand and the USA and is best known for scoring a One Day International century off 36 balls in 2014, setting a new record for the fastest ODI hundred at the time.
A commentator said: “I spoke to Corey Anderson before the start of play and he said he’d never thought he’d find himself captaining an Aussie side.”
Cricket Victoria is contesting the Global Super League through an affiliation with Major League Cricket’s San Francisco Unicorn team.
Several Unicorns players suited up for Victoria, while the veteran Jonathan Wells was the other Australian along with the T20 debutants.
Many were delighted to see emerging Australian players get the chance to play on the world stage when they otherwise might not have got the chance.
Manchester’s Urmston Cricket Club posted: “Congratulations to former Urmston overseas @callum_s14 who is playing in the Global T20 Super League for Victoria against Guyana. Go well Stowey!”
Former Australian cricketer Adam Crosthwaite wrote on X: “Very cool to see a @cricketvictoria team playing in the Global Super League. Some good young players getting international experience.
“Young left arm spinner Callum Stow bowling beautifully. A great concept in this Super League hope to see more of these tournaments”
Ex-Australian captain Tim Paine replied, tongue in cheek: “Spot the Victorian.”
One fan posted: “Cricket Victoria! Wow, some win. Playing some of the words best in Guyana and they’ve been outclassed from start to finish. So impressive.”
Cricket statiscian Adam Morehouse said: “Congratulations to Blake Macdonald who made his Twenty20 debut this morning, playing for Victoria against Guyana Amazon Warriors. He is the 29th player from @CricketACT to play Twenty20 Cricket.”
Cricket Victoria next play the Lahore Qalandars on Tuesday. You can watch the Global Super League on Kayo Sports.
