Vics too good
Mon, 15 February 2010
Andrew McDonald has capped off an outstanding match by guiding Victoria to the outright victory over New South Wales that all but guarantees the Bushrangers a place in this season's Sheffield Shield final. McDonald, who scored 120 in the first innings and took 3-51 in the Blues' second innings, remained not out 39 as he and skipper David Hussey (79) ensured the Bushrangers easily chased down their victory target of 195 at the MCG on Monday. Earlier Victoria had bowled New South Wales out for 387 in its second innings, right on lunch, but despite having just two sessions to score the runs, the defending Shield champions never looked like losing and cruised home by six wickets with 20 overs to spare. The Vics' fourth outright win from seven matches means the Bushrangers are now 12 points clear of third-placed South Australia with just three matches (a maximum of 18 points available) remaining. And they are eight points clear of second-placed Queensland and on course to again host the final as they bid for successive Shield titles for the first time since 1980. The victory capped off four days of dominance by Victoria in a performance even more creditable considering they were missing five first choice fast bowlers in Peter Siddle, Clint McKay, Shane Harwood, Dirk Nannes and James Pattinson while star opener Chris Rogers was unable to bat at the top of the order in either innings due to illness. But McDonald and Damien Wright stepped up in the absence of so many quicks to ensure there was only ever going to be one winner in this match from the time New South Wales was bowled out for just 225 in its first innings. However there were some positives for the last-placed Blues, whose Shield season is now all but over, after opener Phillip Hughes returned to form with a second innings century while exciting all-rounder Steven Smith scored his second first-class century on the final day as young quick Trent Copeland again showed promise and has now taken 15 wickets in his two Shield appearances for the Blues. But after New South Wales resumed on the final day at 4-253, an overall lead of just 60, it was once again McDonald that put the Vics on course for victory when he trapped Dominic Thornely LBW for a duck in only the second over of the day. Smith and Stephen O'Keefe then combined for a 93 run partnership for the sixth wicket to frustrate the home side as Smith, who recently made his Australian debut when he played in the Twenty20 international against Pakistan at the MCG, bought up his century to boost his chances of being included on the upcoming tour of New Zealand. And he did it in style by smashing Victorian spinner Jon Holland for a four and then a six in the one over as he bought up his ton off just 169 balls with 11 fours and one six. However once Smith threw his wicket away for 124 - slashing at a wide one from Wright - the end was near for the Blues That was one of three second innings wickets for Wright to give him eight for the match. And the 34-year-old veteran has now taken 15 wickets at 14.8 since his return from a calf injury in just two appearances for the Vics this season during which time he has also conceded just 222 runs off 97 overs to yet again underline the Bushrangers' phenomenal fast bowling depth.
Paul Gough, Sportal
