Brisbane, Nov 10: It was a match that began like any other under the warm Queensland sun, but by the end of it, everyone at Jack McLaughlin Park knew they had witnessed something extraordinary. Japan’s teenage cricket sensation, Charlie Hara-Hinze, produced an all-round performance for the ages, single-handedly dismantling Western Suburbs with bat and ball in the Queensland Premier (Grade) U-17 clash on Sunday.
Batting first for Northern Suburbs after skipper Eli Brain won the toss, the side stumbled early at 55 for 3 before Hinze strode in and turned the tide. With a mix of maturity and aggression that belied his 17 years, he stitched together a crucial 117-run partnership with Brain, who contributed a well-made 63. Hinze fell agonisingly short of a century, run out for 99 off 120 balls, but his effort ensured Northern posted a commanding 253 for 9 in 50 overs.
However, what followed in the second innings bordered on the surreal. Western Suburbs were blown away for just seven runs — yes, seven — as Hinze and his spin partner Theo Tsingos ripped through the lineup like a storm through paper. Tsingos struck twice early before Hinze spun a web of left-arm magic, taking 6 wickets for just 4 runs in 3.5 overs. Western’s innings read like a horror story: 7 all out, with no batsman crossing two.
For Hinze, it was yet another reminder of why he’s one of Japan’s brightest cricketing exports. (Agencies)
