Ben Sheehan, Tanvir Singh, Joel and Ryan Gurney were part of the determined Central West Wranglers team, which defeated the Illawarra Flames at George Park 1 on Sunday. 

Bathurst young gun Ben Mitchell, fresh off his Under 17s National Championships campaign, had a remarkable performance, blasting 12 boundaries on his way to 81 runs before producing three wickets and a direct hit run out in his side’s 73-run win. 

Mitchell and Matt Corben (45 not out) delivered a century stand for the fourth wicket to help the Wranglers reach 5-176 at the end of their 20 overs.

ACT/NSW Country representative Mitchell then found team-best figures of 3-24 to help roll the Flames for 103 in the 18^th over.

The visitors gave the Wranglers a scare early in the match. Illawarra’s Rhys Voysey repeated his effort from his team’s earlier victory against the Orana Outlaws when he terrorised the Wranglers’ top order.

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He had Lithgow’s Ben Sheehan (4) and Nic Broes (4) both caught behind and Adam Ryan’s promising innings came to an end on 20 with a mistimed shot.

Corben arrived at the crease alongside Mitchell with the score at 3-36.

Mitchell was granted an early reprieve when he was dropped at short mid on and he immediately punished the Flames with back-to-back boundaries.

Little did the visitors know their punishment was going to be more severe.

Mitchell smashed six fours and six sixes on his way to 81, producing a partnership of 114 alongside Corben.

The big innings came to an end when Mitchell was stumping off the bowling of Jason Bunyan, but only after delivery a six and a four to start the over.

Corben took time to play his way into his innings but once he got settled in he proved impossible to rattle.

Josh Doherty (12) also provided an entertaining, late cameo at the crease.

Wranglers opening bowlers Matt Stephen and Wallerawang’s Tanvir Singh had the timbers in their sights. Singh clean bowled Jye Phillips (14).

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