Sutherland’s eight-year wait for silverware continues after they fell to eventual champions Sydney in their Twenty20 Cup preliminary final.
Sutherland were without Shane Watson at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday after the former Test all-rounder was made unavailable due to his Big Bash League commitments with Sydney Thunder. Watson had led Sutherland to the finals with an incredible 114 not out in their semi-final win over Mosman a week earlier.
Sydney were reeling at 5-69 thanks to two Tom Pinson wickets and an excellent catch and run out from young gun Austin Waugh.
But an unbeaten 78-run partnership between Beau McClintock (54 not out) and Nathan Sowter (36 not out) helped Sydney reach 5-147.
In reply, a steady flow of wickets saw Sutherland unable to build any real partnerships before they finished at 9-115. Dan Fallins top scored with 24.
Sutherland captain Chris Williams said while it wasn’t the result they were after, reaching the finals was another sign of the club’s progression.
“As a club we haven’t been particularly successful in T20 cricket, especially the last couple of years,” he said.
“To play in the finals and on the SCG was an amazing experience. You could see the smiles on the boys’ faces walking onto the ground. It’s something I’m sure we’ll look back fondly on.
“Jake Wilson had played there when he was at Randwick but he was just about the only bloke who might have played there before. Obviously we’d all been there to watch cricket as a kid and you dream of playing there one day. It was amazing to be out there.”
Sydney downed Penrith by 36 runs to win the final.
