Star Kyabram cricketer Kyle Mueller and partner Eliza Linehan after Mueller had guided Victoria to victory on the final day of the Toyota National Country Cricket Championships in Western Australia.
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Star Kyabram cricketer Kyle Mueller’s batting deeds hit new heights last week when he accumulated the second most runs at the Australian Country Cricket Championships in Western Australia.
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A patient match-winning and match-high knock of 83 not out on the final day of the carnival against Tasmania last Saturday boosted his run aggregate for the series to 313 at an average of 44.71.
The only batter to make more runs over the carnival staged in the Margaret River-Busselton area was Western Australian opener and skipper Michael Tassome, with 454 runs, which included two centuries, at an average of 50.4.
Mueller’s performances also won him a spot in the All Australian side — dubbed Team of the Tournament — along with three Victorian teammates: skipper Jake Toohey, Nathan Walsh and Lee Stockdale.
Mueller’s batting heroics against Tasmania enabled the Vics to finish runner-up in the championships to the undefeated Queensland.
The Vics, who were the defending champions, suffered only two losses in the carnival, both narrow defeats to Queensland, in a one-day (50 overs) and a T20 game.
In the final game against Tassie, Mueller came to the wicket with the Vics at 4/106, needing a further 131 runs to win, and he remained there until victory was achieved.
Mueller personally contributed 83 not out, with seven boundaries, at a run-a-ball strike rate.
He shared a crucial seventh-wicket stand of 84 with Cricket Shepparton teammate Tyler Larkin, which carried the Vics to the brink of victory.
Vic Country men’s side, featuring Kyle Mueller, finished second at the Australian Country Cricket Championships. Photo: Chloe Motzouris Photography.
Larkin had his best day at the carnival, making 36, as the Vics got home with a four from Mueller with 10 balls to spare.
Mueller had other impressive knocks on the opening days of the carnival, with 65 against Western Australia and 60 against NSW, when he was dismissed on the last ball of the innings trying to hit a six.
In nine appearances at the batting crease he made more than 40 on four occasions and was not out twice.
While the men fell short of the ultimate prize, Victoria’s women ensured silverware headed to the state on Friday.
Vic Country’s victorious women’s team at the Australian Country Cricket Championships.
Echuca’s Grace Moyle was once again at the forefront, finishing second on the tournament wicket-taking charts with 12 scalps, while Nagambie duo Madison Albers and Kayla Shepherd also played important roles in Victoria’s title run.
The women’s championship was sealed in a pulsating final clash against second-placed NSW, with Victoria defending a modest total of 137 in a thrilling eight-run victory.
Under pressure late, Victoria held its nerve to close out the contest and confirm its place atop the standings, as Moyle claimed the 10th wicket in the 36th over.
The spinner forced Emma-Jayne Howe into a loose shot that nestled in the keeper’s gloves, sending the Big V brigade batty as victory was realised there and then.
