Southern Smash 2023: James Bracey brilliance steers Elders Avengers to second title in win over Ignition

Elders Avengers captain Jeremy Wood is “relieved” after his side was crowned 2023 Southern Smash premiers, extinguishing Inswing Ignition’s title run on Saturday. The Ignition, who feature Sri Lankan legend Tillakaratne Dilshan, have won the past three titles in regional WA’s premier T20 tournament in Albany but they were upstaged by a James Bracey-inspired Avengers. Avengers’ brilliant batting display was key to their second Smash title. Wood said he was happy to convert after the external noise around the strength of their team heading into the competition. “There was a little bit of expectation on the side that we picked and so we probably feel relieved more than anything, but it’s a great thing to be a part of,” Wood said. “Names on paper don’t really mean much, you still got to get out there and get the job done. “We had a couple of tight games there but we stood up when we needed to.” England Test-capped James Bracey top scored with 60 from 40 balls at the top of the order for the Avengers, belting the Ignition bowling attack to all ends of the park. After being sent into bat, Avengers posted an impressive 156 at the conclusion of their innings. Bracey was starved of strike early, only facing one ball in the first two overs while fellow opener Fraser Hay did most of the damage. But after working into the innings, Bracey manipulated the field with smart stroke play and put the wayward deliveries away. His cavalier knock included four sixes and two fours as the Avengers posted 6-156. Bracey capped a superb tournament, which included three half-centuries, and was named player of the final and claimed player of the Smash honours. Wood said Bracey’s experience shone throughout the tournament and inspired his side to make its premiership push. “He was massive for us and half the reason we won the title really, a matchwinning 50 and it really set the tone for others to build around him,” he said. Hay scored a quickfire 18 from nine deliveries which included one four and one six. Claremont-Nedlands’ captain Jacob Whiteaker, who chipped in with 32, formed a sound partnership with Bracey once Hay departed. The pair compiled a 100-run partnership. Avengers’ middle order attempted to push the run rate along but none were able to cause lusty blows. When it came to bowling, Albany young gun and WA contracted paceman Bryce Jackson and his brother Mitchell ripped through the Ignition batting line-up. Wood said their addition along with fellow Melville teammate Hay gave his side a huge boost. The brothers combined for five wickets while Bracey took a catch and claimed a stumping on the way to a memorable triumph in front of a strong crowd. Ignition batter Shayne Wornes provided a gallant performance contributing 63 runs from 55 balls, while most of his teammates struggled. Kallen Bond opened the batting but after losing fellow opener Lincoln Joy in the first over to Bryce Jackson, the pressure compiled rapidly. The Jackson brothers built the pressure, bowling 13 dot balls between them in the opening power play. Mitchell Jackson opened from the other end and finished with a wicket maiden and claimed the huge wicket of Dilshan for two. Ignition failed to formulate consistent partnerships while maintaining the required run rate and were forced to play ambitious shots, to their demise. Ignition were bowled out for 124 in the 18th over, as Bryce Jackson skittled Daniel Rees for a duck to spark the title celebrations. Bryce Jackson finished with 3-22 from three overs while Mitchell Jackson claimed 2-18 from his three.