An unbeaten Luke Hawksworth century has led Sutherland to an incredible two-wicket win over heavyweights Eastern Suburbs.
Sutherland resumed at 0-25 at Glenn McGrath Oval on Saturday on day two of their two-day, round five clash, looking to chase Easts’ impressive 7(dec)-399.
Opener Jarryd Biviano made 72 to have Sutherland in the game but the quick wickets of Peter Saroukos (1) and Austin Waugh (1) saw the hosts slump to 5-160.
Enter Hawksworth and Daniel Rixon.
The pair combined for a 168-run stand before Rixon (72) was dismissed with Sutherland still more than 70 runs short of their target.
But Hawksworth batted on, peeling off 16 boundaries in his unbeaten 119 as Sutherland finished at 8-400 to secure a famous victory.
The win was enough to lift Sutherland to the edge of the top six, one point behind Easts.
Buoyed by their good day out on Saturday, Sutherland maintained their unbeaten start to the Twenty20 Cup on Sunday.
Sutherland made 7-135 with the bat against Illawarra at North Dalton Park with Jamie Brown top scoring with 44. In reply, Illawarra looked on target thanks to Duncan Maddinson’s 57. But when Waugh ran Maddinson out, Sutherland were able to restrict Illawarra to 6-127 to make it three wins from as many matches.
Sutherland travel to Manly Oval to face Manly on day one of their two-day, round six fixture on Saturday. Leg-spinner Daniel Fallins will return for Sutherland after his impressive efforts with the Cricket Australia XI.
