Team Agency has taken out this year's Big Clash T20 title led by a man of the match performance from grade cricketer Emile van Schalkwyk.
The annual charity clash, which pitted media owners against agencies, raised $65,000 for UnLtd which will go towards the youth charity BackTrack and Breast Cancer Network Australia in support of Mindshare's chief investment officer Nicola Lewis. Lewis delivered a powerful and moving talk about her battle with breast cancer.
The money raised, including $16,000 from a live auction, is more than the past two years combined. The Big Clash began three years ago as a way for industry to give back through UnLtd and the work it does with youth charities.
During the match, van Schalkwyk smashed a quickfire 29*, including two sixes, and was ably supported by Jamie Hollebone (28*), Tom Bartlem (27*) and Mark Jarrett (19*) in a commanding Team Agencies innings of 4/138.
In response, Team Media Owners got off to a solid start led by Steve Johnson (42), Chris Freel (9) and Chris Norris (8) before one of the greatest batting collapses ever seen at Sydney University cricket oval.
Six wickets fell for two runs, including a double wicket maiden from van Schalkwyk, who was mercifully pulled from the attack after one over.
He picked up the wickets of Matt Granger and Guy Burbridge, but not before Burbridge managed to score one run, his highest score in three years.
There was plenty of banter ebtween the teams on the field and off, with one of the media owner players quipping: "The agencies team clearly took their 10 to 15 run commission from our total and because they aren't transparent we don't know where it went."
Van Schalkwyk's efforts with bat and ball led to rumours the Ikon integrated communications director had represented The Netherlands at a cricket World Cup.
AdNews will add photos of the event later today.
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