NY Kookaburras Retain Kepler Wessels Trophy Against NY South Africa

The NY Kookaburras retain the Kepler Wessels trophy after claiming victory in the annual match against the NY South Africa expats in a high scoring match under lights.

The NY Kookaburras maintain their dominance against the NY South Africa expats in the annually contested match for the Kepler Wessels trophy. The annual contest is always a close affair and this year proved no different in a high-scoring T20 match played under lights on a Friday night. The Kookaburras lost the toss and were sent in to bat first as the sun began setting over the horizon. Despite losing opening batsman Pip Gamble to an innings-ending injury in the 2nd over, the Kookas top order set out to establish a formidable run-rate in the early part of the innings. Dave Ciampa (31*), Tommy Ness (31*) and Rich Ventura (16) led with attacking batting to take the Kookas to 2/92 at the halfway mark. Chris Ryan (30*), Tom McLaren (32*) and Ami Diwan (22) combined in the second half of the innings to take the Kookas to 4/200 at compulsory closure, leaving the opposition with a required run-rate in excess of 10 runs an over to win. In response, NY South Africa’s innings was underpinned by strong contributions up and down the order. The match was in the balance throughout most of the Proteas’ innings before the Kookas were ultimately able to contain their total to 6/182 off 20.0 overs. Jake List was pick of the bowlers with 2/16, while Ryan, Ciampa and McLaren picked up a wicket each. The NY Kookas held on in a tight contest to retain the Kepler Wessels trophy for another year.