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Victorians secure home final

Wednesday, February 11 2004

A solid allround performance from the Victorian Bushrangers has seen them take first innings points against the South Australian Redbacks , securing a home final & winning the 2003/04 David Hookes Memorial Trophy.

South Australian skipper Darren Lehmann won the toss & batted at the MCG , however left arm seamer Matthew Inness soon had the visitors in trouble , getting rid of opener Shane Deitz & star batsman Greg Blewett as the score slumped to 2-15.
The rot continued as Lehmann was caught at slip for 21 , Mark Cosgrove edged behind off Allan Wise & opener Ben Cameron edged behind for an impressive 54 on debut.
Mick Miller provided resistance , batting 3 hours for his stubborn 84(11 fours , 1 six) before his stumps were uprooted by Mick Lewis , the Redbacks all out for a below par 225 , Wise continued his recent form with 3-45 , while Inness , Lewis & medium pacer Jon Moss chipped in with 2 wickets each.
Victoria went to stumps well placed at 1-48 , loosing opener Matthew Mott bowled by Paul Rofe for a duck.

Day 2 saw Victoria quickly capitalize on the upper hand they had gained the previous day , the states two senior batsman piling on the runs before Brad Hodge edged behind off Mick Miller for a thrilling 73 (10 fours).
Jon Moss continued where Hodge had left off as the Bushrangers surged towards first innings points , compiling a brisk 46 before being caught & bowled by Mark Cleary for 46.
Matthew Elliott meanwhile played the anchor role , bringing up his century in the process & remaining unbeaten on 154 (15 fours , 1 six) when skipper Darren Berry declared at 8/331 , giving his side a 4 over spell at the visitors.
Shaun Tait was the pick of the South Australian bowlers , returning 3-55 from his 20 overs , while seamer Miller picked up 2-30.
The Redbacks were 0-3 at stumps.

Faced with a 106 run first innings deficit the South Australian openers went about their work in a far more positive fashion second time around , bringing up their 100 stand before Shane Deitz was stumped off leg spinner Cameron White for 48.
Greg Blewett then fell leg before to the same bowler for 8.
Ben Cameron had just enough time to raise the second half century of his debut first class match before the clouds opened up.
Play for day 3 was abandoned with the visitors 2-122.

Unfortunately no play was possible on day 4 due to persistent showers , meaning that Victoria remain 12 points clear of second placed Tasmania on the Pura Cup table with 2 games to play , virtually assuring them of a home final.

Summary

South Australia 225
M.Miller 84
B.Cameron 54
A.Wise 3-45
Victoria 8/331 dec
M.Elliott 154*
B.Hodge 73
S.Tait 3-55
South Australia 2/122
B.Cameron 58*
S.Deitz 48
C.White 2/14

Victoria take 1st innings points
Man of the match – Matthew Elliott


Posted by DavidH