Adelaide Strikers Academy beat Victoria by 25 runs to claim second Top End T20 title in three years

Darwin, 30 August 2026: Adelaide Strikers Academy won its second Top End T20 title in three years on Sunday, beating Victoria CA XI by 25 runs in the final at Marrara Cricket Ground in Darwin.

Captain Harry Nielsen anchored the Strikers’ innings with an unbeaten 72 from 53 balls as Adelaide posted 177-5 after being sent in. Nielsen struck four fours and two sixes, while Connor Carroll gave the innings early momentum with 36 from 19 balls.

The Strikers were 68 without loss before Carroll fell in the eighth over. Jason Sangha and Henry Hunt departed cheaply, but Nielsen found strong support from Jerrssis Wadia, whose 49 from 31 deliveries included six fours and a six. Their partnership pushed Adelaide beyond 160 before Wadia was dismissed late in the innings.

Victoria’s chase began briskly but lost two wickets for 31. Harry Dixon made 33 from 27 balls before Blake Macdonald led the recovery with 58 from 44 deliveries. Captain Will Sutherland added 16, but the required rate continued to climb as Adelaide’s bowlers tightened their grip.

Macdonald’s dismissal at 141-5 in the 17th over effectively ended Victoria’s challenge. Henry Thornton then tore through the lower order, finishing with 4-24 from four overs, while Tim Oakley claimed 2-5. Victoria closed on 152-8 from its 20 overs.

Lachlan Bangs also picked up a wicket, and Adelaide’s attack conceded only three extras as Victoria finished well short despite Macdonald’s half-century under pressure in the closing overs.

The victory gave Adelaide its second championship in three editions of the tournament. The Strikers won the 2024 title by beating Bangladesh HP XI in the final before losing to Perth Scorchers Academy in the 2025 decider.

Adelaide were the most consistent side in this year’s nine-team competition, losing only once, against New Zealand A, on its way to the final.

Nielsen’s innings proved decisive after Victoria chose to field, and Thornton’s late burst ensured there would be no dramatic finish to the chase.

The title capped another strong Top End campaign for the Strikers Academy, which has now reached three consecutive finals and converted two of them into championships.

Scores in brief:

Adelaide Strikers Academy beat Victoria CA XI by 25 runs in the Top End T20 final

Adelaide Strikers Academy 177-5 (Harry Nielsen 72 not out, Jerrssis Wadia 49, Connor Carroll 36; Will Sutherland 2-47)

Victoria CA XI 152-8 (Blake Macdonald 58, Harry Dixon 33; Henry Thornton 4-24, Tim Oakley 2-5)