Mitchell and Vaccartini help Ocean’s 11 win first Super Slam title

Oceans 11 won the inaugural Super Slam cricket tournament by defeating King Wolves Nikao by seven wickets in the final at Turangi Oval on Saturday.

King Wolves batted first and scored 124 runs but lost all their wickets in 16.5 overs. Oceans 11 then surpassed the target in 10.5 overs, losing only 3 wickets.

Cook Islands Cricket Association (CICA) president Grant Walker said the Wolf Kings were very strong at one point.

“They scored over 80 runs for the loss of just two wickets and looked set to win big until some great work from captain Cameron Thorpe and eventual man of the match Jera Mitchell, who bowled to turn the tide,” Walker said.

As Mitchell bowled, Wolves captain Pita Ravarua sent a heat-seeking missile at him and Mitchell extended his right hand and caught the ball in the air to take the crucial wicket.

The Wolves continued to struggle and finished with just 124 points.

Mitchell surprisingly took six wickets to disintegrate the Wolf Kings batting order.

In the chase, Oceans 11’s Ben Vakatini battled with top batsman Osolai Akai. Tim Anker, bowling for King Wolves, managed to intercept Osolai and had the upper hand.

Oceans 11 and King Wolves players pose for a group photo after the final of the inaugural Super Slam cricket tournament on Saturday. RADIO COOK ISLANDS/24061023

However, Vaccartini was unstoppable that day and he led Oceans 11 to victory.

The Wolf Kings’ luck began to slip when Vakatini was hit on a line drive and he made the Wolf Kings pay for that lapse with 30 runs, one over and five straight sixes.

Grant said: “Although the race was shorter than expected, there was no lack of drama and everyone had a great day.”

Vakatini scored an unbeaten 72 runs.

“I can’t put into words how much effort and energy these four clubs put into this tournament,” Grant said.

“We have achieved all the goals we set out to achieve when we first set up this league and we now know that there is a bright future ahead not only for the domestic club season but also for the continuation of the competition in 2025.”

Grant thanked James Thomason and Nauma Atiau for refereeing the playoffs and Christine Porio for scoring most of the games and all of the playoffs.

He added: “From August they will share these experiences with others in domestic club competitions which will benefit our sport.”

Meanwhile, Oceans 11 captain Cameron Thorpe won the best bowler of the match award while Osolai Akai won the best batsman award.

Players who perform well in the playoffs will also receive individual cash prizes. Bowlers who take three or more wickets, batsmen who score 50 or more runs and batsmen who score 100 or more runs in a single match will receive cash prizes to be distributed soon.