There were screamers, there were stumpings and there were more no balls than one could count; the Biggest Game of Cricket had it all.

The Hawks took on the Kangaroos on Friday night, fighting it out tooth and nail in a T20-style cricket match.

The final score may not have gone Hawthorn’s way, but the resulting fundraising tally was a win for all involved.

The event raised more than $300,000, with 100 percent of funds going towards the Ponting Foundation and their efforts to help young Australians beat cancer. Over 10,000 football-turned-cricket supporters packed into UTAS Stadium in Launceston to support the cause.

And the attendees certainly weren’t short of entertainment; Clarkson and former Hawk Daniel Harford opened the batting for Hawthorn, facing up to Australian fast-bowler Peter Siddle, and there were fireworks from the get-go.

After a couple of ‘plays and misses’, Clarkson got off the mark by pushing the ball to extra cover for three runs. Daniel Harford was quick to follow, pushing one to mid wicket for a single.

However the opening duo were out just as fast, with their wickets falling in quick succession at the hands of North Melbourne Development Coach Jarred Moore.

With Moore on a hat-trick, Luke Hodge came to the crease.

When facing a hat-trick ball from the man that has just dismissed your senior coach two balls prior, it’s understandable if Hodge was feeling slightly weak at the knees.

If he was, he certainly didn't let it show.

As Moore strode in, Hodgey rocked back and easily sent the ball over the rope at deep mid wicket.

SIX!

The rest of his innings went in a similar tune, with the former Hawthorn captain belting 40 runs from 28 deliveries to top score for the brown and gold.

Chasing a total of 174, the Kangaroos had a nervous start as they found themselves at 2/7 after just two overs.

Then suddenly, all was calm; Ricky Ponting had come to the crease.

He was given some early chances when a brilliant catch from Clarkson was called a (charitable) no ball, closely followed by a clip of the glove that went straight to wicket-keeper Jack Gunston, called a wide by the umpire.

Once he found his stride, there was no stopping him. In a show of dominance, the former Australian captain brought up six fours and five sixes. Ponting punished the medium pace of Grant Birchall, with all his maximums coming in one expensive over.

Dallas Willsmore finally picked up the prize wicket in the 12th over, and Ponting was dismissed for 62 from 33 deliveries, to a standing ovation from the Tasmanian crowd.

Read: The Ultimate Hawks Quiz - 2016 edition

The balance had seemingly shifted back in the Hawks favour, with North Melbourne requiring 17 runs from the final over.

For reasons unbeknownst to spectators, Clarkson was called in to bowl his first over of the match.

Hopes of Hawthorn’s ‘secret weapon’ were quickly thwarted, with Clarkson bowling two no balls resulting in free hits for the opposition.

With a pair of huge sixes to finish, Peter Siddle brought up a North Melbourne win with a ball to spare.

 

Final score: Hawthorn 174 v North Melbourne 7/178.

 

You just can’t write this stuff.