Wranglers win their way to debut Regional Bash finals appearance

Mitchell blasted 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 over the Illawarra Flames at George Park 1 on Sunday.

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

Mitchell then produced team-best figures of 3-24 to help roll the Flames for 103 in the 18th over.

“It was great fun out there today. I really enjoyed it. I had to steady the ship at the start then look at getting on with the job later in the innings,” Mitchell said.

“Corbs batted really well and helped release a lot of the pressure on me and I helped him out too. It was a great partnership.”

The visitors gave the Wranglers a scare early.

Illawarra’s Rhys Voysey repeated his effort from his team’s earlier victory against the Orana Outlaws when he terrorised the Wranglers’ top order.

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

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.

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 Tanvir Singh had the timbers in their sights leaving Illawarra at 3-38 early, but there was to be no saviour for the visitors as Darryl Kennewell (2-27) and Stephen (2-19) each finished with a pair of wickets.

Finals day is scheduled for December 2 at the SCG.