Back from brink: Victoria keeper hits incredible ton
Victoria have staged a remarkable fightback to beat Queensland by three wickets after wicketkeeper Liam Blackford's incredible century on debut, coming after his career was hanging in the balance.
The left-hander's unbeaten 149 off 113 deliveries was one of the greatest One-Day Cup knocks ever played in what was a thriller at Allan Border Field on Saturday.
Blackford and Victoria captain Will Sutherland (100 off 106 deliveries) added 152 from 143 balls for the sixth wicket to light up the run chase after the visitors had slumped to 4-14 in reply to Queensland's 7-335.
Blackford, 22, played an inspirational knock, after a blood clot in his right arm in July 2023 and three subsequent surgeries, which included a rib removal, threatened to cruel his career.
He was in danger of losing an arm, but has fought his way back from the brink.
Blackford played all the shots and brought up his half-century with a pulled six off Mitch Swepson, before racing to his century off 91 balls.
After Sutherland's dismissal he played an array of shots to secure victory with one ball to spare, the visitors finishing on 7-339.
"Pretty surreal. It definitely hasn't sunk in," Blackford said after his heroics.
"We were in a fair bit of trouble and I was trying to get settled. Obviously being my first game I was very nervous. It was great to get the win. I don't really believe it just yet."
"I was all good but I was on medication for the blood clot, which meant I couldn't play cricket because I couldn't get hit by the ball.
"I am grateful that I am back out there now. That is something that pushes me forward. Things could have been different."
A dazzling unbeaten half-century by Queensland wicketkeeper Dylan McLachlan and a fast and furious spell from Tom Straker (4-50) fired the Bulls towards what seemed to be certain victory
McLachlan, in just his second List A game for the Bulls, struck seven sixes in his 66 not out off just 29 deliveries.
Former Australian under-19 star paceman Straker ripped through the top order.
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