Walsh 200 leads famous victory

In round six of the NSW Premier competition and set the task of chasing down 355, a disastrous start saw the Saints at 5-47 and then 6-52 and looking at a loss.

The game changed when unheralded No.8 batsman Andrew Walsh joined Tom Engelbrecht (64) and changed history.

Walsh and No.9 batsman Joe Graham joined together at 7-112 and 213 minutes later Walsh marched off with a famous last-ball win with Tom McKenzie successfully driving over the top for a last gasp boundary.

Andrew Walsh finished with 208 from 209 balls with 15 fours and 15 six's. It is the highest ever score by a No.8 batsman in the history of first-grade cricket. The previous record was 154 not out by Hugh Chilvers for Northern District in 1936/37 against Marrickville at Waitara.

For St George, it is the 13th first-grade double century and the equal 3rd highest score with the great Brian Booth scoring 208 in 1968-69. The highest is 246 by Sir Donald Bradman in 1931-32.

Saints then played Sutherland in the feature match of Kingsgrove Sports T20 Cup at Hurstville oval and again took the victory.

Batting first the Saints got off to a massive start thanks to Luke Bartier who finished with 67 off 40 balls including eight boundaries and three sixes. Tom Engelbrecht supported him with 25 from 25, but just as St George looked like they were heading to an unbeatable score, Sutherland hit back and restricted them to 8-145.

Sutherland seemed to be on target for victory, but the Saints bowlers kept things tight taking key wickets and setting up the win with Sutherland finishing just two runs short on 6-143.