Warriors upset Vics
The Vics desperately wanted an early wicket but it never came with North 94 not out from 97 balls and Davis 108 from 125 balls, guiding the Warriors home.
Victoria v Western Australia - Ryobi One Day Cup Review - October 23, 2010
WHAT HAPPENED:
The Bushrangers made a steady start after being sent in and reached 2-80 from their first 20 overs. Dangerous top-order batsmen, Brad Hodge (12) and Chris Rogers (one), were dismissed cheaply to give WA early honours.
The visitors then consolidated after the loss of two early wickets as Marcus North and Liam Davis built a handy partnership that handed WA a 27-run lead.
In reply the Bushrangers started slowly again before Matthew Wade belted an unbeaten century to set the Warriors 130 for victory in the final stage.
The Vics desperately wanted an early wicket but it never came with North 94 not out from 97 balls and Davis 108 from 125 balls, guiding the Warriors home.
THE HERO:
Matthew Wade blasted Victoria back into the match with an unbeaten 101. Bushrangers fans didn't see the century coming until a few late-innings boundaries boosted the wicketkeeper-batsman into the 90s. Then off the second last ball he brought up the milestone by pulling Michael Hogan's bouncer into the Ponsford Stand.
THE VILLAIN:
Michael Hogan made it very hard for the Vics' top order in the first innings and recorded the miserly figures of 0-12 from six overs.
To make matters worse he kept his good economy in the second dig but added five to his personal wickets column.
Also, losing the toss didn't help the Bushrangers as there was cloud cover while they batted but blue skies appeared when it was the Warriors' turn at the crease.
DEFINING MOMENT:
Victoria had to get an early breakthrough in WA's second innings to put pressure on their middle order but it didn't come and North and Davis batted the Bushrangers out of the match.
MILESTONES:
Brad Hodge pushed a single from his first ball faced on Saturday to become the first player in Australian domestic one-day history to score 5,000 runs.
THE UPSHOT:
The unusually lacklustre Bushrangers received a reminder of how tough it is to win in Australian domestic cricket, which should hold them in good stead for the rest of the summer.
WHERE TO NOW:
The Bushrangers start a Sheffield Shield match against Tasmania at the MCG on Monday.
The reigning four-day champions will need to bounce back against the Tigers with a win before the follow-up Ryobi Cup match on Saturday at the MCG.
WHO SAID WHAT:
Victorian skipper David Hussey said the Davis-North partnership ultimately killed off Victoria's hopes.
But he also admitted his bowlers failed to fire in what was a disappointing performance from the Vics.
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