2026 Mildura Tournament a Success

The Sandgroper Cricket had another excellent tournament and have continued to imporove each year and this year we went one better and instead of bowing out at the semi final stage as we did in 2025 we progress to the grand final but unfortunately were beaten in the grand final by a better team on the day. In fact we have beaten this side each year in the preliminary rounds but when it counts, like in last year's semi final and again in this years Grand Final they have managed to turn the tables and get a win over us!

Our squad was really solid all week after getting off to a slow stat and continued to build momentum over the week and really hit our straps on "Sandgroper Sunday" and carried that forward for the remainder of the week before losing the Grand Final on the Tuesday.

Ben Warren had an outstanding week with the ball and was named the Bowler of the tournament after taking 16 wickets prior to the Grand Final and also had a solid week with the bat in a great all-rounder performance.

Ben produced an outstanding tournament with the ball, combining consistency, accuracy and pressure throughout the week to finish with an impressive 16 wickets.

• 16 Wickets – Most in the Tournament

• Best Bowling – 3/16

• Bowling Average – 13.75

• Runs Per Over – 6.67

• Dot Ball Average – 37.88

Jamie Lee was also simply outstanding across all facets of the game, dominating with the bat, making a huge contribution with the ball and backing it up in the field.

He was named Batsman of the Tournament and also Player of the Tournament and each year he has dominated this competition:

• 378 Runs

• Highest Score - 113

• Other top scores - 78 and 71

• Strike Rate - 169.36

• 46 Fours - the most in the tournament

• 17 Sixes - the most in the tournament

• 10 Wickets

• Best Bowling - 3/26

• Bowling Average - 18.23

• Economy Rates - 8.27

• Dot Ball Percentage - 37.88%

• 6 Catches
  

That is an exceptional all-round tournament and a performance worthy of being recognised as the competition’s outstanding player.

Spirit of Cricket owner Anthony Telfer was fullk of praise when he remarked at the end of event function...

The Sandgropers squad all performed really well and athere were a number of indiivudal performances of note and most importantly different players poppoed up when it was needed to get victory throughout the tournament.

THe Sandgropers finished runners up and have continued to improve and adapt to the T20 style of cricket and will review the week with a view to further improving and going one better again next year.