Darwin, 21 August 2026:
Captain Will Sutherland smashed 44 off 21 balls as Victoria CA XI opened its Top End T20 campaign with a five-wicket win over Hobart Hurricanes Academy on Friday.
Chasing 142 at Marrara Oval, Victoria reached 145-5 in 18.5 overs, sealing the win with seven balls to spare after Sutherland’s late assault shifted the match decisively in its favour.
Sutherland struck three fours and three sixes in his 44, scoring at a strike rate of 209.52. He combined with Blake Macdonald in a 55-run fifth-wicket partnership that carried Victoria from 80-4 to the brink of victory.
Macdonald provided the stability at the other end and finished unbeaten on 38 from 35 balls.
Victoria had earlier stumbled during the powerplay. Harry Dixon fell for 1 in the opening over before Liam Blackford made 12 off 10. Campbell Kellaway was dismissed for 9 as Victoria slipped to 42-3 in the sixth over.
Tom Rogers and Macdonald steadied the chase with a 38-run partnership before Rogers departed for 28 from 32 balls at 80-4 after 13 overs.
That brought Sutherland to the crease, and the Victoria captain immediately increased the tempo. His 21-ball innings put the required rate back under control before Raf MacMillan dismissed him with Victoria on 135.
Brodie Symons then joined Macdonald, who completed the chase in the 19th over.
MacMillan was the most economical Hurricanes Academy bowler, taking 1-18 from four overs. Nivethan Radhakrishnan finished with 1-21 from four, while Marcus Bean, Gabe Bell and Bradley Hope also took a wicket apiece.
Earlier, Victoria won the toss and elected to field, restricting Hobart Hurricanes Academy to 141-8 from its 20 overs.
Hope top-scored with 34 from 34 balls, but the Hurricanes struggled to build momentum as Victoria regularly broke partnerships.
Hobart lost Radhakrishnan for 8 and captain Jake Doran for 5 before Hope and Teague Wyllie rebuilt the innings. Wyllie made 22 from 24 balls, but his dismissal triggered a damaging spell in which the Hurricanes went from 78-2 to 84-5.
Symons was at the center of the collapse. He removed Wyllie and Hope in the 12th over before bowling Tim Ward for 18 to finish with 3-33 from four overs.
Todd Murphy delivered the most economical spell of the innings, taking 2-11 from three overs, while Austin Anlezark claimed 2-26.
Hobart was 119-8 after 18 overs before an unbeaten ninth-wicket stand between Caelan Maladay and Bell added 22 from the final two overs. Maladay finished unbeaten on 13, while Bell made 8 not out from four deliveries, including a six.
The Hurricanes also benefited from 20 extras, including 11 wides.
The victory gave Victoria CA XI two points from the opening match of the 2026 Top End T20 Series, while Hobart Hurricanes Academy remained without a point.
Scores in brief:
Victoria CA XI beat Hobart Hurricanes by five wickets with seven balls remaining
Hobart Hurricanes Academy 141-8 in 20 overs (Bradley Hope 34, Teague Wyllie 22; Brodie Symons 3-33, Todd Murphy 2-11, Austin Anlezark 2-26)
Victoria CA XI 145-5 in 18.5 overs (Will Sutherland 44, Blake Macdonald 38 not out, Tom Rogers 28; Raf MacMillan 1-18, Nivethan Radhakrishnan 1-21)
