WOODFORD all-rounder Kory Howlett produced his biggest score in representative cricket as the Western Waves made a bold bid to qualify for next month’s state under 21 championship grand final.
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The Waves, the south-west’s representative side, claimed an 82-run win over Central Highlands in Ballarat yesterday, giving them an unbeaten run in two qualifying matches.
But Howlett, who top-scored with 74, and his teammates face an anxious wait as to whether the victory was enough to earn them a grand final berth. Their hopes of a championship-decider rest with yesterday’s match between the Geelong-based Barwon Rockets’ and Mallee Murray. If the Rockets won, net run rate calculations today would determine which side progresses to the final on December 14.
Howlett was the star with the bat yesterday after the Waves won the toss and batted at Ballarat’s Eastern Oval. Batting at number three, he frustrated the home side with quick singles as he anchored the innings of 282 all out in the 50th over.
“My role is to rotate the strike more and get the other batsmen on strike,” he said.
He is used to the role but before last week, he had always batted down the order at representative level.
But batting at number three, a spot he occupies for Warrnambool and District Cricket Association side Woodford, he flourished as he and West Warrnambool’s Ben Threlfall (47) shared an 83-run partnership for the second wicket.
It set the tone for the innings which was dominated by partnerships.
Coach, Allansford’s Ben Boyd, said Howlett batted with intent.
“He batted exceptionally well,” Boyd said.
“He was busy from ball one. His running between wickets was really good. He would have scored a heap from running (rather than boundaries).”
Boyd was delighted with his side’s all-round effort.
He said the Waves had done all they could to earn a finals berth.
“We had a good win again and we’ll just have to see how it works out,” he said.
Should the Waves qualify for the grand final, scheduling becomes a big issue for selectors. The grand final is set down for December 14, the same day as the Warrnambool and District Cricket Association’s one-day grand final. Woodford, which is on top of its conference, had three players in the Waves side yesterday — Howlett, Hamish Withers, who made 26 and Nick Butters, who made 25 — while Allansford, which is on top of the Hopkins conference, would lose Boyd.
