Darwin, 22 August 2026:
Harry Dixon and Campbell Kellaway struck half-century and near-half-century contributions to guide Victoria CA XI to a five-wicket victory over Hyderabad Kingsmen Academy in the Top End T20 Series on Saturday.
Chasing 148 at Marrara Cricket Ground, Victoria recovered from losing Sam Harper in the opening over to reach 151-5 in 18.4 overs, winning with eight balls to spare.
Kellaway top-scored with 53 from 38 balls, hitting seven fours and a six, while Dixon made 49 from 35 deliveries with six boundaries. The pair put on 108 runs for the second wicket after left-arm pacer Zia-ul-Haq bowled Harper for four with the score on four.
Their partnership put Victoria firmly in control before Zia struck twice in the 13th over. He removed Kellaway and Dixon in the space of three deliveries, reducing Victoria to 113-3.
Usama Mir then bowled Blake Macdonald for one and Milind Kumar dismissed Tom Rogers for five as Kingsmen briefly threatened a comeback at 123-5.
Captain Will Sutherland ensured there was no further drama, finishing unbeaten on 19 from 12 balls. Sam Elliott was 12 not out as Victoria completed the chase. Zia was Kingsmen’s best bowler with 3-25 from four overs.
Earlier, Kingsmen were dismissed for 147 in 19.3 overs after electing to bat.
Shayan Jahangir gave the innings early momentum with 27 from 18 balls, while Syed Saad Ali contributed 29 from 22. Tajinder Singh provided the strongest middle-order contribution, hitting 33 from 21 balls, including two sixes.
Captain Hammad Azam added 24 from 16 deliveries, but Kingsmen lost wickets regularly after reaching 119-4 in the 15th over.
Elliott led Victoria’s attack with 4-20 from three overs. He dismissed Saad Ali before returning to remove Ali Sheikh, Scott Kuggeleijn and Tajinder. Brodie Symons took 3-31, including the wickets of Jahangir and Shehan Jayasuriya, while Harry Hoekstra finished with 2-19.
The victory earned Victoria CA XI two points, while Kingsmen remained without a point from the match.
Scores in brief:
Victoria CA XI won by five wickets with eight balls remaining
Hyderabad Kingsmen Academy 147 in 19.3 overs (Tajinder Singh 33, Syed Saad Ali 29, Shayan Jahangir 27; Sam Elliott 4-20, Brodie Symons 3-31, Harry Hoekstra 2-19)
Victoria CA XI 151-5 in 18.4 overs (Campbell Kellaway 53, Harry Dixon 49, Will Sutherland 19 not out; Zia-ul-Haq 3-25)
