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NSW v WA - Pura Cup

Friday, November 7 2003

Pura Cup – New South Wales v Western Australia at Sydney

The Sydney Cricket Ground was the venue for this eagerly awaited clash between two of the stronger sides taking part in the Pura cup this year , with seven players with test match experience as well as a host of Australia A representatives this was bound to be an interesting encounter.


Australian opener & West Australian captain Justin Langer won the toss & elected to bat on what appeared a perfect surface , however Matthew Nichloson (2-79) , (playing his first game after migrating from Perth) removed both Michael Hussey (0) & Langer (4) to see the visitors reeling at 2-11 , stubborn batting from Marcus North & Murray Goodwin saw the Warrior’s through to lunch.
Debutant leg spinner Liam Zammit (2-71) then removed both North & Shaun Marsh in the middle session , Goodwin batted brilliantly to register his 27th first class century , however other than Goodwin the Warrior’s batting lacked spine as 6 batsman got starts only to throw their wickets away when set.
The innings was brought to a close shortly before lunch on day 2 , the Warrior’s all out for 376 , Goodwin finished unbeaten on 201 (32 fours).
The New South Wales bowlers shared the wickets around evenly with Don Nash (2-70) arguably the pick of the bowlers.


In response New South Wales lost several early wickets (including both Waugh’s) as young spinner Beau Casson (4-141) gave a glimpse of his talents , the Blue’s struggled to 5-127 before an entertaining stand of 158 between Simon Katich & stand in wicket keeper Nathan Pilon rescued their innings.


Pilon was out early on day 3 for 78 (12 fours , 2 sixes) , however the Blues tail wagged with Matthew Nicholson contributing a handy 42 against his former state as the Blues took first innings points , Katich continued his rich vein of form , finishing unbeaten on 182 (23 fours , 1 six) to ensure he remains next man in line should Darren Lehmann not recover from his injury in time for the first test against India.
The Blues were eventually bowled out for 436 , part time spinner Shaun Marsh bagging 2-20 & medium pacer Callum Thorp 2-75.


The Warrior’s began their response in ideal fashion , Langer finally regaining some form as he & Hussey grafted a 134 run opening stand before Hussey was removed shortly before stumps by Steve Waugh.
An outright result either way seemed unlikely going into the final day , however aggressive batting by Langer who finished unbeaten on 163 (18 fours , 2 sixes) & Ryan Campbell (53 , 4 fours , 2 sixes) , made an outright result a distinct possibility , Langer declared shortly before tea with the score on 8-362 , Matthew Nicholson’s good match continued (4-69) , while Stuart Clark picked up 2-55.


Set an improbable 303 to win from just 52 overs , the Blues immediately signaled their intentions by sending Pilon out to open with Michael Slater , both fell cheaply in pursuit of quick runs as did pinch hitter Don Nash , leaving the Blues in a spot of bother at 3-70.
However a dashing 43 from just 35 balls from Phil Jaques left the home team with a slight advantage going into the final hour , however just as quickly as they had got on top the Blue’s lost the wickets of Jaques & Mark Waugh to add further difficulty to the situation.
However a brutal stand between Steve Waugh (117* , 15 fours, 1 six) & man of the match Katich (71 from just 45 balls , 12 fours , 1 six) sealed this thrilling encounter with just 26 balls to spare.
Paul Wilson picked up 2-79 but the going was tough for the remainder of the Warriors bowlers as the Blues scored at nearly 7 an over.
New South Wales take a full 6 points from the match while the Warriors remain pointless after 2 rounds.


Summary- New South Wales 436(S.Katich 182* , B.Casson 4-141) & 5-303(S.Waugh 117* , S.Katich 71*) defeated Western Australia 376(M.Goodwin 201*) & 8-362dec (J.Langer 163* , M.Nicholson 4-69)
New South Wales wins by 5 wickets
Man of the match- Simon Katich


Posted by DavidH