Story Oceania Premier League:***End of Story!***

[just_cricket]

The Grand Final: Teams, Toss and Conditions

Oceania Premier League
Sponsored by Coca Cola
Grand Final
Southern Stallions v Northern Eagles
AMI Stadium, Christchurch

Welcome to the Grand Final of the inaugural Oceania Premier League!
What an event this has been so far - opening with a nail biting encounter which went to a Super Over Eliminator, and continuing on with many close games - the Pool Games sorted out the contenders from the pretenders, and then the Super 8 was hotly contested by all teams involved.
Four teams made it through to the Playoffs, where two New Zealand based franchises have emerged as the two most deserving to clash, with everything on the line.

The news this morning is that the Northern Eagles have won the toss and, probably in an effort to ease themselves into the game, have elected to bowl first. So it won't be too long now before the Stallions' openers are walking out to face the music, provided by the Eagles.

Now let's look at the teams:

The Southern Stallions host this match after a convincing win over the Tasmania Diablos in the major semifinal. They come off the back off just one loss in the entire tournament, after topping their pool and losing one solitary Super 8 enounter. Led by the inspirational Brendon McCullum, the Stallions also look to overseas players Eoin Morgan and Mahela Jayawardene for prolific runs, while local speed merchants Shane Bond and Neil Wagner have done the business for them with the ball.

Morgan today drops down to no. 5 in the order, probably looking to play a similar role in the middle to later overs as he does for England, rather than the top order hitting he has been doing - successfully, mind you - so far. The Stallions' battery of spinners has also performed well throughout the tournament and the telling fact that the potentially match-winning Fawad Alam cannot even make the playing XI shows how strong this side is, and how well they have been performing as a unit all tournament.

Now let's take a look at the Eagles' side for today's match:

As has been previously alluded to many times, one of their main strengths is the opening combination of Sachin Tendulkar and Umar Akmal - the modern master and the player of the future. However the Eagles middle order is also strong - Guptill, Styris and Williamson have all put in some very strong performances throughout the tournament.

Their pace bowling has been unstoppable on its day, and decidedly average on other days - as is the nature of both James Anderson and Kemar Roach. However Tim Southee has been as reliable as ever bowling at the death and today Kyle Mills has a chance to bowl as he has done for his country, rather than as he has been thus far. Vettori and Williamson have been invaluable contributors with the spinning ball, and their fielding is probably the best of any team in the tournament.

So that's how the teams are shaping up - now let's hear some news about how the pitch and conditions are shaping up:

So - the sun is out, it's just about to set, it's very hot, everything is just about perfect for a summer's night sensation - in just a few mintues you will be able to sit back, relax and enjoy. But given how scintillating the competition has been up till now, you'll more likely be on the edge of your seat...

​

 

[Gaurav_7]

You are bloody brilliant!

 

[Dipak]

Well can you please post the final soon.
Cant Wait.

 

[Prats]

Woooow! What a classic way of presentation. Just loved to read that entire thing.

 

[Meet]

Can't wait for the final battle to get started.
Supporting Northern Eagles in the finals and lets see what they could do in final.
Lovely writing as well as presentation.
KIU dude.

 

[CG123]

Just out of interest, why do the Southerners have five overseas players (2, 4, 5, 8, 11), while Northern have four (1, 2, 10, 11)?

Great update as usual, looking forward to the match.

 

[just_cricket]

Just out of interest, why do the Southerners have five overseas players (2, 4, 5, 8, 11), while Northern have four (1, 2, 10, 11)?
Great update as usual, looking forward to the match.

Just a matter of selection - the Stallions have elected to play their full quota of five overseas players while the Eagles have decided that they would rather play an extra local player because their best team includes 7 locals...

 

[just_cricket]

The Grand Final: Overs 1-8

Oceania Premier League
Sponsored by Coca Cola
Grand Final
Southern Stallions v Northern Eagles
AMI Stadium, Christchurch

Overs 1-8: Jayawardene Sets the Tone

Expensive first couple of overs for Eagles

McCullum straight drives the first boundary; Lofts one straight down the ground for the first 6; Jayawardene pulls Roach powerfully for 4 ​

James Anderson opened the bowling for the Eagles but was immediately set back as his first ball was a touch overpitched, and McCullum pounced on it, straight driving it for four. McCullum continued to strike the ball cleanly - a few dot balls followed, but they were all hit hard but straight to fielders. He then bettered his first shot with a great shot over the top of mid off which just cleared the boundary for six. Consequently 10 runs came off the first over.

Kemar Roach bowled the second over and was all over the place - Jayawardene confidently pulled his first ball in front of square for 4, and then hooked a four off the next delivery. Basically Roach was two-lengthed - either too short and susceptible to the hook shot, over over pitched and easy to drive, as Jayawardene did to the penultimate ball of his over, meaning 12 runs came off it in the end.

McCullum falls but Jayawardene and Myburgh keep things going

McCullum drives in the air to cover; Mills takes a good high catch; Myburgh pulls over mid wicket for 4​

Anderson managed to peg things back in his next over - McCullum cover drove one four but was then dismissed, trying to repeat the shot but this time in the air. Anderson just got it to hold up off the pitch and McCullum didn't quite get hold of it, and Mills took a good jumping catch at cover.

Roach was equally expensive in his second over - Jayawardene dispatched his first two balls for boundaries again, and then hooked and cut his two final balls for four as well, meaning a massive 16 came off the over. In Anderson's next over Myburgh managed his first runs with a lofted pull shot over mid wicket. He then drove a four to bring up the 50 in the space of 5 overs, only one wicket down.

Jayawardene scores quickly but Myburgh is bowled

Jayawardene effortlessly clips 4 more; hooks a 4 off Anderson's next over; Myburgh is bowled by Southee​

Things were getting out of control for the Eagles as Jayawardene seemed unstoppable - he was accumulating runs at a strike rate of almost 200 with barely and risk at all. Anderson continued to try hard and beat his bat on two occassions but in the scorebook he was expensive - his four overs cost 33.

However there was a glimmer of hope for the Eagles as Southee replaced Roach and regained an element of control with a first over which went for just 2 runs, followed by another which not only conceded just 2, but also gained the wicket of Myburgh with a slower ball.

After 8 Overs
Southern Stallions: 65/2
Jayawardene 40 off 25, Chandimal 0 off 1
Southee 2-0-4-1
​

 

[AkshayS]

Well Southee looks like the hope for Eagles to restrict Stallions to a chaseable total. Eagles won't mind anything below 160 seeing the quality of their batsmen.

 

[Haarithan]

Wow the presentation part is just terrific man !

 

[Aditya]

Southern Stallions are off to a fine start. Jayawardene is looking good for a big score, he is the key here. It's a final after all, Southern Stallions must put up a score above 160+ to stand a chance of winning because Northern Eagles have got a really good batting line up.

 

[just_cricket]

Grand Final: Wickets Hurt Stallions but Match Hangs in the Balance

Oceania Premier League
Sponsored by Coca Cola
Grand Final
Southern Stallions v Northern Eagles
AMI Stadium, Christchurch

Overs 9-10: Match Even at Halfway Stage

Vettori gets Jayawardene, match in balance

Jayawardene misses a pull and is bowled; Chandimal uses his feet for a single; Morgan hits Styris for a straight six​

Vettori replaced Anderson and was immediately rewarded with a wicket - what looked like a rank short ball just slid on with the arm and crashed into Jayawardene's leg stump - a big blow for the Stallions. However Chandimal had the courage to use his feet to Vettori and clip him delightfully through the legside for a boundary.

The Eagles also seemed to decided to keep Southee for the death and replaced him with Styris - a debatable move as Southee had been difficult to negotiate, and Styris seemed somewhat innocuous. His over cost 8 runs, including a great lofted straight hit from Morgan into the bottom tier of the stands.

After 10 Overs:

Jayawardene set the wheels in motion but the main work is yet to be done

After a loose start Vettori and Southee regained some control

The topsy-turvy nature of the first 10 overs as depicted by the skyscraper​

​

 

[Gaurav_7]

That Jayawardene's wicket was very crucial. Match in balance, maybe in Eagles' favor slightly. I'm backing them, should win this. Mind blowing stuff, JC!

 

[Aditya]

Yes, indeed, match is evenly balanced. Morgan to score big, 60 or 70 maybe.

Brilliant stuff, JC.

 

[Chewie]

Southee!!!! Vettori!!!

Go the Eagles!