Pura Cup Final: Thrashing Continues

Victoria tightened their grip on the Pura Cup trophy over the weekend against Queensland following some brutal batting and penetrative bowling.

Resuming day 2 at 1/322 Victoria lost Brad Hodge early as he was caught by James Hopes from Joe Dawes for 89, adding just 4 to his overnight score. 6 runs later prolific opener Elliott fell to former Australian paceman Andy Bichel for a masterful 155 that included 22 boundaries.

Yet in a display of batting that has become a characteristic of his summer, Jon Moss hammered 98 to quickly fold out any hopes of a Bulls fightback.

Well supported in the middle order by Cameron White's 54, Ian Harvey (62), 42 from Andrew McDonald and 61 from Darren Berry, Moss allowed Victoria to post a massive 710 in their first innings.

Ashley Noffke finished with 3/104 and Nathan Hauritz 3/145.

Jimmy Maher and Clinton Perren reacted positively with an 85-run opening stand before Perren was caught behind from Mich Lewis for 40, beginning an untimely Queensland collapse.

Cameron White snared 3 quick middle-order wickets with his improving leg-spinners, while Moss snared the prized wicket of Maher (72) as well as Chris Hartley late in the day.

Martin Love, unbeaten on 22, and Andy Bichel symbolise Queensland's last chance of avoiding the follow-on mark of 511.

Progress Scores: Stumps Day 3

Victoria 710 (M Elliott 155, J Moss 98, J Arnberger 90, B Hodge 89, I Harvey 62, D Berry 61, C White 54, A McDonald 42; A Noffke 3/104)

Queensland 6/177 (J Maher 72, C Perren 40; C White 3/36, J Moss 2/2)

Posted by Andre