New Plymouth Strikers

🏆 CHAMPIONS! What a phenomenal season for the Fitzroy Cricket Club! 🏆

We officially wrapped up an unforgettable 2025/26 season at our Awards Night, celebrating a massive milestone as the Unlimit Friday T20 Champions! 🥇

🔥 BATTING BRILLIANCE

Prabesh Fernando: A spectacular, unbeaten 100* off just 66 balls (13 fours, 1 six) against Woodleigh Half Pints! 💯
Ewantha Kularathne : A powerhouse season anchoring the crease. 10 innings, 6 not outs, 305 runs, a highest score of 56*, and a mind-blowing average of 76.25!

👑🎯 BOWLING & FIELDING MASTERCLASSES

Brett Cursons: Consistency at its finest across 5 innings. 20 overs, 87 runs, 12 wickets, a tight economy of 4.35, and best bowling figures of 3/9!

Ewantha Kularathne: A lethal spell of 5/21 off 4 overs against NPOB Peelbacks!

Aruna Nanayakkara: He also turned heads with a clinical 2/17 off 3 overs (including 2 in the Power Play) and a sharp catch at short mid-wicket. 🌪️

🖐️⚡Bryn Leadbeater: Pure brilliance behind the stumps and in the field with 13 dismissals/assists, including the undisputed catch of the season!

🎯🙌 OUR SPONSORS – THE BACKBONE OF FITZROY CC Strikers success like this is a team effort both on and off the field. A massive thank you to our incredible sponsors for backing us all the way to the trophy presentation.

🏢 Main Sponsor: Piko Piko Eatery New Plymouth 🤝 Co-Sponsors: AARAKSHAA (The Real Protection) & Benthomas Panelbeating

Thank you to every player, supporter, volunteer, and sponsor who made the 2025/26 season one for the history books. Let's carry this championship momentum straight into the next winter nets!
💛🖤💙

🌟 Strikers Awards Night 2026!

🕔 When: Saturday, 11th July 2026
🕔 Time: 5:00 PM onwards
📍 Where: Crowded House✨

BYOFD/RSVP

💥🏏 𝑹𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑴𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑴𝒂𝒈𝒊𝒄 🏏💥

From incredible wickets to absolute best fielding efforts and that unforgettable winning moment. This final had it all 🥇🏆️

Winning Moments | Highlights | 2026 Final-Friday T20 | Taranaki Cricket | Fitzroy Strikers Vs NPOB Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

🥇🏆️Unlimit Friday T20 Grand Final 🏆️🥇

Fitzroy Strikers vs NPOB Peelbacks

The Fitzroy Strikers finally broke their Grand Final hoodoo with a memorable victory over the NPOB Peelbacks, claiming the Unlimit Friday T20 title in what was their fifth consecutive finals appearance. Having suffered heartbreak as runners-up for the past three seasons, all against the same opponent. The Strikers had everything to play for and everything to prove.

Strikers Set the Tone

The Strikers’ day began perfectly when captain won the all-important toss and elected to bat first. Despite the early loss of Bryn, the Strikers responded positively as Prabesh counter-attacked with intent against a Peelbacks bowling attack that showed no mercy.

Prabesh announced the Strikers’ intentions in style, launching a couple out of the park and sending a clear message to the lads from Vogeltown that the challenge would not be taken lightly. His brisk knock of 40 put the Strikers firmly in the driving seat before his dismissal.

Peelbacks Fight Back

Tight bowling and sharp fielding from the Peelbacks clawed their way back into the contest, triggering a collapse that saw the Strikers slump to 100 for 7 in the 15th over. Momentum had shifted, and the pressure was firmly back on the Strikers.

However, calm heads prevailed late in the innings. Alex played a sensible supporting role, while Sudeha provided the firepower with some clean hitting to push the total along. The Strikers were eventually bundled out for 140 in the final over, a total that still felt defendable given the occasion.

Spin Turns the Game

The Peelbacks made a steady start to their chase despite losing Tomas early. Parker and Murfitt then began to take control, striking several l***y blows and threatening to take the game away from the Strikers.

The turning point came with the timely introduction of spin. Both set batters were dismissed soon after, swinging momentum dramatically. Murfitt’s innings ended with a moment of brilliance, a spectacular high catch by wicketkeeper Bryn, who sprinted past the 30-yard circle to complete a skyer under pressure.

Spin Brigade Dominate

From there, the Strikers’ spin trio ran riot. Srinu, Aruna, and Prabesh delivered immaculate spells through the middle overs, combining for 9 overs, conceding just 45 runs.

Aruna picked up 2 wickets

Srinu was outstanding with 3 wickets

At the end of the 12th over, the Peelbacks were reeling at 103 for 7, struggling to keep pace with the required rate.

Sealing the Title

To cap off a complete team performance, VJ returned with the ball in the 18th over to clean up the tail, effectively sealing the match. Unlike previous finals, the Strikers were pin-point accurate, sharp in the field, and relentless in their support of the bowlers.

An impressive all-round fielding effort ensured no easy runs were given, restricting the three-time champions NPOB Peelbacks to 109.

History Made

The Fitzroy Strikers finally had their moment, winning by 31 runs. A victory built on belief, discipline, and ex*****on under pressure. After years of near-misses, the Strikers rose on the biggest stage and delivered a performance worthy of champions.

Strikers Batting:

Prabesh Fernando: 40
Alex Kurian: 22
Sudeha Hennayaka: 21*

Strikers Bowling:

VJ: 3.2 Overs | 17 Runs | 3 Wickets
Srinu Vathada: 4 Overs | 20 Runs | 3 Wickets
Aruna Nanayakkara: 3 Overs | 17 runs | 2 Wickets

Joyfully celebrating a major 5-year victory

🏏 FITZROY STRIKERS – GRAND FINAL SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT 🏏

Hey everyone!

Our Fitzroy Strikers have powered their way into the Grand Final of the Unlimit Friday T20 — and we need all the support we can get! 🙌🔥

📍 Pukekura Park
🕓 4:15 PM
📅 This Friday

Bring your friends, family, loud cheers, and that classic Strikers spirit as the boys take the field for the biggest match of the season! 💛⚡

Your support from the sidelines makes a massive difference — let’s pack the park and lift the energy!

See you there!

Unlimit Friday T20 – Semi-Final 1

Fitzroy Strikers vs Merriland Warriors

Merriland Warriors won the toss and elected to bat first, but their innings got off to a shaky start. Fitzroy captain Ewantha Kularathne struck early, removing both openers cheaply and putting immediate pressure on the opposition.

Despite a couple of dropped chances and missed run-out opportunities, the Strikers did well to contain the in-form Merriland batters, Binoj and Bibin, keeping the scoring in check.

Fitzroy’s spin trio—Prabesh, Aruna, and Srinu—dominated the middle overs with exceptional control and discipline. Together, they bowled 11 overs for just 57 runs and picked up 4 crucial wickets. Aruna Nanayakkara stood out as the pick of the bowlers, delivering a superb spell of 3 for 15 from his 4 overs.

The Strikers lifted their fielding intensity in the latter stages of the innings, executing four sharp run-outs to bundle Merriland Warriors out for 110.

Chasing 111, Prabesh and Bryn gave Fitzroy a flying start, racing to 40 runs within the first 5 overs before Prabesh departed. Merriland responded with tight bowling, reducing the Strikers to 48 for 3 in 9 overs and briefly shifting the momentum.

Captain Ewantha Kularathne then partnered with Alex Kurian to steady the innings. The duo showed composure under pressure, rebuilding the chase with smart cricket and controlled aggression. They guided Fitzroy home comfortably with 6 balls to spare.

Ewantha led from the front with a fluent unbeaten 40 off 26 balls, while Alex played the perfect supporting role with a steady 28* off 42 deliveries.

Key Performances

Fitzroy Strikers – Bowling

Aruna Nanayakkara: 4 overs | 15 runs | 3 wickets

Ewantha Kularathne: 4 overs | 22 runs | 2 wickets

Fitzroy Strikers – Batting

Ewantha Kularathne: 40* (26)

Alex Kurian: 28* (42)

Result: Fitzroy Strikers won by 7 wickets (with 6 balls remaining)