Short, Koduru power NT Strike to six-wicket win over ACT

Darwin, 25 August 2026: D’Arcy Short and Jaga Koduru shared a brisk 71-run opening stand as Northern Territory Strike cruised to a six-wicket victory over Australian Capital Territory in the opening match of the fifth day of the Top End T20 Series on Tuesday.

Chasing 131 at Marrara Cricket Ground No. 2, NT Strike reached 131-4 in 16.2 overs, completing the win with 22 balls to spare.

Captain Short led the chase with 42 from 29 balls, striking four fours and two sixes, while Koduru made 29 from 22 deliveries with a four and two sixes.

The pair put NT Strike firmly in control before Short was dismissed by Zak Keogh with the score on 71 in the eighth over. Keogh then removed Koduru at 82-2, briefly giving ACT hope of forcing its way back into the contest.

Douwtjie Hoogenboezem added 11 before falling to Dave Dubey and William Blair was dismissed for three, but Jordan Silk and Reiley Mark ensured there was no late drama. Silk finished unbeaten on 20 from 17 balls and Mark made 17 not out from 13 as NT Strike sealed its second points of the tournament match.

Earlier, ACT struggled after being sent in and was bowled out for 130 in 18.2 overs.

ACT lost four wickets inside the first six overs to slump to 39-4 before captain Nic Broes led the recovery. Broes struck 55 from 44 balls, including two fours and three sixes, and shared a useful partnership with Dylan Hunter.

Hunter made 28 from 20 deliveries as ACT recovered to 98-5, but NT Strike’s bowlers maintained pressure through the second half of the innings.

Matt Hammond was the most successful bowler, taking 3-15 from three overs. Trent McVeigh, Short and Reiley Mark claimed two wickets apiece as ACT lost its final five wickets for 15 runs.

The victory gave NT Strike two competition points, while ACT left the match empty-handed.

Scores in brief:

Northern Territory Strike won by six wickets with 22 balls remaining

Australian Capital Territory 130 all out in 18.2 overs (Nic Broes 55, Dylan Hunter 28; Matt Hammond 3-15, Trent McVeigh 2-15, D’Arcy Short 2-16, Reiley Mark 2-16) Northern Territory Strike 131-4 in 16.2 overs (D’Arcy Short 42, Jaga Koduru 29, Jordan Silk 20 not out; Zak Keogh 2-6)