Lochie Endacott's top class show at State Championships

Selected to play for the combined Western Zone/Riverina side, Lochie’s side – the County Thunder Tornadoes – was one of eight teams in the competition in Dubbo.

Lochie’s Kookaburra captaincy meant he was a shoe-in for the vice role in the representative squad.

The first round of the challenge put the Tornadoes up against the Metro Sixers Waves, with the Waves eventually winning the close match.

Although Endacott’s 3/23 off 7 slowed the Waves to all out for 158 off 48.2 overs, the Tornadoes’ couldn’t chase them down, even with Endacott’s 8 runs, and captain Sam McReady’s 60 n.o.

Round 2 saw the Tornadoes pocket a victory over the Country Sixers Swell, with Lochie claiming another wicket and 13 runs, n.o., in the run chase.

Fellow Western Zone teammate Phoebe Litchfield top scored with 30 in the run chase as well, as the Tornadoes closed the gap on Swell’s 118 runs.

Round 3 was a split T20 round, with the first against the Metro Thunder Cyclones.

The Tornadoes just couldn’t find the runs as they finished 9/97, falling short of the Cyclones set 115, although Lochie continued the trend with another wicket.

The second match was against the Country Sixers Riptides, and although Lochie took another wicket the side couldn’t catch Riptide’s 9/138, falling 90 runs short.

The final day saw the Tornadoes batting first and setting 154, including Lochie’s 34, a total the Metro Thunder Lightning were unable to catch.

They were downed at 140, in part due to Lochie’s lethal 4/25 off five overs.

It was a day to remember for Mudgee’s Lochie Endacott as he finished the carnival as the top ranked bowler from all eight teams, and across five matches he bowled 21.4 overs, took ten wickets and allowed just 94 runs.

His final average was 9.4, and had an impressive stand out economy of 4.34.

Gavan Twining, pathway manager for the NSW State Challenge, believes the event is a great way to development fantastic up-and-comers.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for the best young talent in the state to play against each other over the four days. Dubbo’s facilities are fantastic and Cricket NSW love heading out there,” he said.

The Country Sixers Riptides and Metro Sixers Waves played in the final on the last day of the event.

It was the Metro side that came out on top in the end at the NSW State Challenge, recording 8/203 and beating the Riptides by 32 runs.