Pura Cup: Qld vs NSW
Wednesday, February 4 2004
As Stuart Law proved to Queensland supporters he was still able to perform despite his ageing years, rain assured that the Pura Cup match in Brisbane between the Queensland Bulls and New South Wales Blues would finish a draw despite the best efforts of the captains for a contrived result.
Winning the toss and electing to bat, ODI discard Jimmy Maher plundered another first-class hundred against New South Wales with 116 to dominate Day 1 for the Bulls.
Day 2, however, firmly belonged to Stuart Law. Without a Pura Cup hundred for 2 years, and a hundred at the Gabba for 4, Law silenced his growing band of critics, reaching his 63rd first class hundred with 146 before the declaration.
Martin Love added 68 in support, while Stuart Clark was the pick of the bowlers with 3/71.
New South Wales' dismal run of form with the bat continued, however, falling to 6/111 despite another Phil Jaques half-century.
Mark Waugh assured the side posted a moderately respectable total before the contrived declaration came with 90 - his highest first-class score since his retirement from Test cricket.
Joe Dawes continued on his prolific wicket-taking ways taking 3/69. Matthew Nicholson was unbeaten on 35 as Steve Waugh declared well behind in the attempt for a result.
Queensland batted for just 56 minutes before declaring at 2/126 - Clinton Perren made 57 from just 43 balls before being dismissed by his nemesis, Stuart MacGill.
After being set 327 in 56 overs, the Blues began the chase in enterprising fashion, with Greg Mail and Phil Jaques adding 101 in quick time before Mail fell for 50.
From that point onwards, the chances of a New South Wales victory diminished with a constant flow of wickets.
Only Phil Jaques' astonishing 146 from just 147 balls kept them in the match - a constant flow of wickets at the other end ensured the match would end in a draw. Jaques' ton was his first for NSW, despite having made 5 for English county side Northamptonshire during 2003.
Mike Kasprowicz celebrated his Australian recall with 4/74.
Final Scores:
Queensland 5 dec. 431 (S Law 146*, J Maher 116, M Love 68; S Clark 3/71)
New South Wales 7 dec. 229 (M Waugh 90, P Jaques 53; J Dawes 3/69)
Queensland 2 dec. 124 (C Perren 57)
New South Wales 8/277 (P Jaques 146, G Mail 50; M Kasprowicz 4/74)
Match Drawn.
Points: Queensland 2.
Posted by Andre
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