Victoria, Adelaide Strikers Academy advance to Top End T20 final after contrasting semifinal wins

Darwin, 30 August 2026: Victoria CA XI survived a dramatic late collapse to beat Bangladesh High Performance XI by one wicket, while Adelaide Strikers Academy produced a more comfortable five-wicket victory over New Zealand ‘A’ on Sunday to set up the Top End T20 Series final.

Victoria appeared to have control of the first semi-final after dismissing Bangladesh HP for 101 in 17.1 overs, with Will Sutherland claiming 4-27. Jishan Alam provided Bangladesh’s main resistance with 30 from 20 balls, but wickets fell regularly after the score reached 49-1.

The chase, however, turned into a thriller.

Victoria lost Harry Dixon for a duck and later slipped from 81-4 to 81-6. Bangladesh kept applying pressure, with Md Rubel taking 3-15 and Shamim Hossain claiming two wickets. Todd Murphy’s run out at 101 left Victoria nine wickets down with the scores level, but Liam Blackford held his nerve and finished unbeaten on 19 as Victoria reached 105-9 in 19.4 overs.

The second semifinal was less dramatic.

New Zealand ‘A’ struggled for momentum after being sent in and finished on 121-9. Max Chu top-scored with 27, while Bevon Jacobs made 23 and Matthew Fisher added an unbeaten 18 late in the innings. Adelaide shared the wickets, with Oakley, Thornton and McFadyen taking two each.

Adelaide then recovered from 40-4 in its chase through a decisive partnership between Wadia and Bangs.

Wadia made 22 from 21 balls before departing at 88-5, but Bangs continued to attack, striking seven fours in an unbeaten 51 from 37 deliveries. He and McFadyen, who finished nine not out, carried Adelaide to 123-5 in 17 overs.

The result sends Adelaide Strikers Academy into the championship match against Victoria CA XI later today scheduled to begin at 4pm local time, with the Top End T20 title on the line.

Scores in brief:

First semi-final: Victoria won by one wicket with two balls remaining

Bangladesh HP XI 101 all out in 17.1 overs (Jishan Alam 30; Will Sutherland 4-27, Sam Elliott 2-14, Todd Murphy 2-14)

Victoria CA XI 105-9 in 19.4 overs (Campbell Kellaway 23, Liam Blackford 19 not out; Md Rubel 3-15)

Second semi-final: Adelaide Strikers Academy won by five wickets with 18 balls remaining

New Zealand A 121-9 in 20 overs (Max Chu 27, Bevon Jacobs 23; Tim Oakley 2-9, Henry Thornton 2-11, Noah McFadyen 2-8)

Adelaide Strikers Academy 123-5 in 17 overs (Lachlan Bangs 51 not out, Jerrssis Wadia 22; Matthew Fisher 3-13)