Graham Croker
Sydney University opener Greg Mail hit centuries in each innings as NSW Second XI pulled off a remarkable outright win over South Australia in their four-day match at Adelaide Oval, finishing on Friday.
Mail scored a quick-fire 104 in NSW’s first innings and an unbeaten 172 as the Blues chased down a second innings target of 318 off a minimum 84 overs.
In a high-scoring match, South Australia declared at 8-540 in their first innings. NSW replied with intent, with Mail cracking 17 boundaries in his 104 off 138 deliveries. Grant Lambert helped the cause with 107 off 156 balls and Mail’s Sydney University team-mate Ed Cowan contributed a run-a-ball 25 as NSW declared at 4-399, leaving them 142 in arrears with the prospect of another declaration from SA.
The hosts went to stumps on day three at 4-133 and eventually closed their innings before lunch on day four at 6-175, setting NSW a target of 318.
Cowan and Mail set about the task with authority and posted a 99-run partnership before Cowan fell for 38. Peter Forrest joined Mail and cracked 38 off 50 balls before departing.
Enter wicketkeeper Peter Neville and the run chase continued. The pair whittled the target down to 71 off the final 16 overs and reached it with 2.3 overs to spare.
Neville scored 41 in the unbeaten partnership of 126, but the honours went to Mail, who cracked 23 boundaries in a 248-ball stay for his 172.
And to top off a solid week with the bat, Mail scored 30 for Sydney University in their first innings win over UNSW at Sydney University No.1 Oval on Saturday.
In a crowded queue for opening spots in the NSW Sheffield Shield side, Mail has left selectors with a timely reminder that his is as run-hungry as ever and, more importantly, in fine form.
