Every kid playing with a bat and ball in their backyard dreams of walking onto the hallowed turf of Adelaide Oval and three of the Limestone Coast’s top players were given the chance to do just that on a special Sunday afternoon.
Representing the SA Outbacks in the side’s return from hibernation South East stars Nick McInerney, Alex Hentschke and Connor Prior played on the famous venue with pride in a T20 exhibition match against the SA Boomerangs.
The players got the full experience sitting in the same dressing rooms where Steven Smith, Pat Cummins and Travis Head sat during the Ashes, plus playing shots with the colourful stands and the timeless old scoreboard and St Peters Cathedral watching on.
North Sportsman’s captain Nick McInerney played a pivotal role in the Outbacks’ win and said the entire afternoon was an experience he will treasure for a long time playing on the iconic ground where names such as Bradman, Hobbs, Tendulkar and Ponting made history.
“It was a massive honour and an unbelievable experience to play at Adelaide Oval in front of all the big stands and old scoreboard,” he said.
“It was just cool actually being on the ground as opposed to from the sidelines and being able to use the amazing facilities like the Redbacks changerooms and the entire oval.
“Walking out the race onto the ground and soaking everything in was just incredible knowing how lucky we were to step out there.”
The SA Boomerangs batted first and struggled against the potent Outbacks attack.
Hentschke and McInerney both enjoyed stints with the ball bowling a combined total of seven overs and conceding 19 and 18 runs respectively being unlucky not to claim any victims.
Despite the target not looking entirely imposing, the Boomerangs made life hard for the Outbacks in the run chase.
Prior strolled in at number five and soaked up 15 balls for his four runs, but at the precise moment he looked to get himself set, he was run out by Jack Coppins.
With a daunting run rate of 10.5 required for victory from the final four overs, the Outbacks were battling, but enter McInerney.
The Tigers’ skipper looked made for the stage presented to him at Adelaide Oval reaching the boundary first ball and clearing the fence two balls later.
McInerney perfectly brought his teammates home in the tricky chase with a clutch unbeaten 26 off just 13 deliveries.
“When I went out the game was getting a bit out of reach, but I was pretty lucky to benefit from some misfields,” he said.
“But the ground was amazing because you got great value for shots which helped get a few boundaries away.
“It was just one of those days where I got lucky and some things came off well and the person I was batting with summed up the situation well.
“It was amazing to win on such a special oval and occasion.”
McInerney said he looks forward to reliving the occasion with Prior and Hentschke in the future.
“It was nice to share the experience with some familiar faces,” he said.
“We will be able to talk about it for years to come when we are playing with or against each other or just catching up which will be special.
“It was also cool to meet some new people and faces.”
