Rain nearly handed the trophy to Tasmania cricket team before NSW seized their chance in the Dean Jones Trophy final in Hobart

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It was a day full of drama, rain delays and late twists as the New South Wales cricket team secured the One-Day Cup title after being just minutes away from not getting a chance to play the final in Hobart.

Persistent rain throughout Wednesday had left the match on the brink of being abandoned. Had the game been washed out, Tasmania cricket team would have been crowned champions after finishing at the top of the points table. However, more than four hours after the scheduled start, play finally began at 6:15 pm, giving NSW the opportunity they needed.

The visitors wasted little time asserting control. Tasmania collapsed to 25 for 5 under relentless pressure from the new-ball pair of Sean Abbott and Ben Dwarshuis, who exploited the helpful conditions brilliantly. The situation worsened for the hosts when captain Jordan Silk was run out, leaving Tasmania struggling early in the contest.

Despite restricting Tasmania to a modest total of 118, the chase wasn’t entirely straightforward for NSW. They slipped to 73 for 5, creating tension in the middle. But skipper Kurtis Patterson held firm, producing a composed unbeaten 52 from 57 balls to guide his side to a memorable victory in challenging batting conditions.

Reflecting on the dramatic day, Patterson admitted the team had been nervously tracking the weather radar in the dressing room while waiting for play to begin.

He said the result still hadn’t fully sunk in, revealing that NSW were only minutes away from not even stepping onto the field. Players allowed to carry phones in the dressing room were constantly checking the radar, hoping the rain clouds would clear.

Abbott and Dwarshuis, both returning from international duty at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, proved vital additions to the NSW lineup. The pair shared six wickets between them, with Dwarshuis also smashing a crucial six during the run chase to ease pressure.

Patterson praised the duo for their experience and versatility, noting that they can deliver at any stage of the game. Their all-round abilities with the ball, in the field and with the bat also give the team greater flexibility in balancing the lineup.

On a personal level, Patterson’s match-winning innings capped a remarkable One-Day Cup campaign. The NSW captain finished the tournament with 565 runs at an average of 113, including three centuries. His form follows a career-best 173 not out in the Sheffield Shield last month, sparking renewed conversation about a possible return to the Australian national side after his two Test appearances in 2019.

Patterson acknowledged he still has a strong desire to represent Australia national cricket team again, though he now views the ambition differently compared to his younger days. While earning the Baggy Green remains a dream, he also sees the current Australian setup as an environment where players can learn, improve and challenge themselves against the best in the world.

Meanwhile, there were contrasting emotions in the Tasmania camp. Captain Silk admitted the defeat was difficult to accept after what had been an impressive campaign. Tasmania had started the tournament strongly by winning their first five matches to secure hosting rights for the final before suffering two losses at the end of the regular season.

Silk said the loss felt particularly painful because the team had been presented with a great opportunity to claim the title, especially with their Sheffield Shield campaign already over.

In the end, though, the rain-threatened final turned into a dramatic triumph for New South Wales, with Patterson’s calm leadership and crucial innings ensuring they seized the opportunity when it finally arrived.