Vics thrash arch rivals
Victoria cruised to a six-wicket win over NSW at the SCG.
WHAT HAPPENED: Points: Vic 5, NSW 0
The Bushrangers took top place (on run rate) on the Ryobi Cup table heading into Christmas after easily disposing of the Blues.
The Vics reduced NSW to 4-89 in the first 20 overs, James Pattinson (2-42) picking up two wickets in an impressive display.
Openers Aaron Finch (42) and Matthew Wade (105) put on 95 for the first wicket to put their side well in charge. Finch lost his wicket before the 20 overs were up but Victoria was untroubled in reaching 1-112 and winning the first stage.
The Blues returned to the crease and quickly lost Daniel Smith (2) , Moises Henriques (47) and Peter Nevill (7), slumping to 7-127. It looked like the small but vocal crowd was in for an early night and some last minute Christmas shopping before spinners Stephen O'Keefe and Nathan Hauritz combined for a bright and breezy 93-run union to help haul the hosts to 225.
The Bushrangers then required a further 114 - or 226 overall - to claim the honours and they never looked like detouring from the task. Wade brought up his second domestic one-day century, eventually falling for 105 from 111 balls in a man-of-the-match performance. Brad Hodge (55) was again a mixture of blast and class, peeling off another effortless half-century.
Victoria reached their target with six wickets and six overs to spare. 'Emphatic' is the only way to describe it.
THE HERO: Matthew Wade
A reporter asked Wade after the game whether he felt he was on target to become Brad Haddin's back-up in the national side. The Bushrangers' keeper-batsman is not quite in that league yet but there is no doubting his ability and long-term potential. He was caught off a Brett Lee no ball on 76 but that was about the only moment of concern as he cruised to his ton at a rate of almost a run a ball.
THE VILLAIN: The NSW top order.
The Blues had their Christmas party after the game and it seemed a few of the batsmen were keen to get an early start. There was some good bowling from the Vics but lazy batting helped their cause no end. Usman Khawaja (2) was one of the main culprits. Perhaps his mind was already on the Boxing Day Test where he will act as standby to Ricky Ponting.
DEFINING MOMENT: Brad Hodge's entry
The Blues had a small sniff of hope when John Hastings departed to leave the visitors 2-119. But that just opened the door for Brad Hodge to slam it shut on NSW. While Wade top scored, Hodge just kept things ticking over. It was a typically classy display by the little man, who is surely the best one-day batsman in the country. That he hasn't played more international cricket is a tragedy (and this is being written by a New South Welshmen!)
MILESTONES:
Matthew Wade: Second domestic one-day ton
THE UPSHOT: Top spot
The Vics hold down pole position on the table from Tasmania (on run rate) heading into Christmas. The Blues are one point behind in third. With only a handful of games left, the final is likely to come down to a shoot-out between two of the top three sides.
WHERE TO NOW: The Bushrangers play both Tassie and NSW in February in the run to the decider. The results of those two games will decide whether Victoria make it through to the final. Based on their form against the Blues, it would be hard to back against them.
WHO SAID WHAT:Matthew Wade, centurion
"It's always good to get a really good win against a quality opposition."
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