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<\/p>\nQueensland and Marnus Labuschagne were left to rue the lack of a fifth bowler as the captain\u2019s disastrous final over saw debutant Liam Blackford secure a stunning One-Day Cup win for Victoria.<\/p>\n
In both teams\u2019 first match of the season, the Bulls\u2019 7\/335, which saw a whopping 137 runs added in the final ten overs, looked set to be more than enough when the Vics crashed to 4\/14 in reply.<\/p>\n
But captain Will Sutherland turned the match with a swashbuckling century, teaming up with first-game wicketkeeper-batter Liam Blackford for a 152-run partnership to bring the visitors back into the contest.<\/p>\n
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Watch Zimbabwe vs Australia ODI Series Live & Exclusive on Fox Cricket, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\n Even after Sutherland was dismissed for 100, Blackford continued the onslaught, bringing up a whirlwind century off just 91 balls with ten fours and four sixes.<\/p>\n A 16-run penultimate over off Oli Patterson left the 22-year old, who was only playing with regular gloveman Sam Harper on Australia A duty in India, needing 10 for victory in the final over.<\/p>\n Dramatically, it would be bowled by Labuschagne, who with the Bulls opting not to select a frontline all-rounder had already bowled nine overs.<\/p>\n Liam Blackford is embraced by Victorian captain Will Sutherland. (Photo by Albert Perez\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n A trio of Blackford boundaries duly secured a stunning triumph, with Victorian players celebrating wildly in the dugout, while Blackford and partner Harry Hoekstra embraced mid-pitch.<\/p>\n The young gun\u2019s knock is just the sixth One-Day Cup debut ton, and one of only two in the last 30 years.<\/p>\n \u201cYoung Liam Blackford \u2013 I don\u2019t think there\u2019s any doubt who the man of the match is,\u201d commentator Justin Stearns said.<\/p>\n \u201cPretty surreal. It definitely hasn\u2019t sunk in,\u201d Blackford, who finished unbeaten on 149 from 113 balls, told CODE Sports<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were in a fair bit of trouble and I was trying to get settled.<\/p>\n \u201cObviously being my first game I was very nervous. It was great to get the win. I don\u2019t really believe it just yet.\u201d<\/p>\n Blackford emerged as a state contender after a dominant end to last year\u2019s Victorian Premier Cricket season for Geelong and the Vics\u2019 2nd XI.<\/p>\n He nearly lost an arm after the discovery of a blood clot in 2023 required three surgeries, including a rib removal.<\/p>\n Liam Blackford celebrates after hitting the winning runs. (Photo by Albert Perez\/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n