AN EXPLOSIVE 125 from 122 balls by City Cyclones skipper Josh Doyle dominated yesterday’s Strike League final at Marrara Cricket Ground.

The Cyclones won the final against Desert Blaze by 29 runs after Doyle’s big innings got them to a more than competitive 9-261 from their 50 overs.

The Blaze lost Ben Abbott without scoring and Owen Lynch (1) early in the run chase and were never really in the hunt despite Matt Gilkes’ defiant 48, and 35 from Matt Hammond.

It was also Doyle who stepped up with the ball for the green shirts, grabbing 4-62 from his 10 overs to grab the man-of-the-match award.

“It was a good day out,’’ Doyle told the NT News, in probably the biggest understatement of the month-long Strike League competition.

“Obviously getting the win was the big thing for the side, but yes, things went pretty well for me out there.

“Everyone played their part and we proved that runs on the board are certainly the best way to play this format.

“It was a case of find a length and defend for us.’’

Doyle knew the target of 262 would stretch a Blaze batting line-up missing Test batsman Cameron Bancroft, who was struck in the throat when he top-edged a push to square leg last week.

“I knew anything over 240 would be hard to get out there and for us to get to 261 was a pretty good start,’’ Doyle said.

“Having said that we had to work hard and the Blaze kept at it until the end.’’

Doyle trapped Gilkes in front of his wickets and had Hammond caught by Jack Kessell to ruin any chance the Blaze may have had of overhauling the big total.

Some big hitting by Blaze tailenders Dean Fry and Corey Kelly stretched the innings to 46 overs before Fry was caught off Doyle again for 17.

Cyclones’ quick Aaron Summers brought the curtain down on the second season of the Strike League when he had Kelly caught by Jayden Lennox for 11.