Bulls tests Vics
Tue, 23 February 2010
Runs and wickets proved hard to come by on the opening day of the all-important Sheffield Shield clash between Queensland and Victoria at the Gabba, but the Bushrangers batted with much dedication to reach 6-265 at stumps on Monday. A slow pitch and unfriendly conditions ensured play would be anything but pulsating, however the visitors did well to grind their way to a reasonable position after being sent in by Bulls captain Chris Simpson. Nick Jewell, Aaron Finch and Matthew Wade all posted half-centuries, and on a day when momentum shifted regularly, Wade's knock of 84 proved to be not only the top score but the most telling contribution. The 22-year-old entered the fray after the departure of stand-in captain Andrew McDonald for five, and with Victoria precariously placed at 4-121. He combined with fellow youngster Finch in a 115-run partnership and initially handled the second new ball with aplomb. However Wade exited soon after being dropped by Lee Carseldine when he was on 67, with Simpson trapping the wicketkeeper-batsman LBW with a quicker delivery. The dismissals of Wade and Finch (73) were both brought about with the second new ball, ensuring day one would finish with neither side able to establish a clear dominance. Queensland all-rounder James Hopes was the pick of the home side's bowlers, impressing with figures of 3-52 in his return to domestic cricket. Hopes rejoined the Bulls for the first time after recent ODI action with Australia and bowled tightly to make the crucial opening breakthrough in the 13th over after the hosts had enjoyed a fruitless opening hour of play. Chris Rogers failed to offer a shot to a shifting delivery that wrapped him on the pads and Lloyd Mash followed shortly after when he got well forward but nonetheless misjudged a ball from Hopes that cannoned into his pads. Nick Jewell (51) grafted away in a cautious but vitally important innings, soaking up three hours at the crease before finally passing the 50-mark. Flanked by Finch (73), he had played a resolute hand to guide Victoria to a relatively comfortable position of 2-116 after the visitors had earlier slumped to be 2-43 in the morning session. However the 32-year-old could not resist a wider deliver from Ben Cutting, slicing it straight onto his stumps. McDonald then lasted just eight balls when a mistimed drive saw him lift a ball straight to Craig Philipson at point, however Finch continued to hold sway until playing on to Luke Feldman. Defending champions Victoria, who sealed top spot on the Ford Ranger Cup ladder with a remarkable 25-run win over the Bulls in Brisbane on Saturday, will lock up the same honour in the first-class arena if they can snaffle an outright victory this week. Victoria 1st innings Rogers lbw b Hopes 21 Jewell b Cutting 51 Mash lbw b Hopes 9 Finch b Feldman 73 McDonald c Philipson b Hopes 5 Wade lbw b Simpson 84 Hill not out 8 Hastings not out 0 Extras: 14 (7lb, 7nb) Total: 265 (6 wickets: 95 overs) FOW: 1-29, 2-43, 3-116, 4-121, 5-236, 6-265 Bowling Cutting 15 - 4 - 51 - 1 (5nb) Swan 17 - 4 - 41 - 0 Hopes 21 - 6 - 52 - 3 Feldman 18 -6 - 46 - 1 (2nb) Simpson 23 - 3 - 68 -1 Carseldine 1 - 1 - 0 -0
Rob Forsaith at the Gabba, Sportal
