Story A Tiger's Tale

[Covvy]

South Australia vs Tasmania Ford Ranger Cup Preview
A Tigers Tale

The Tasmanian Tigers will be coming into the one day match full of confidents after their 349 run
pounding of South Australia in the longer form of the game. The Redbacks however
have worries, especially their batting after been completely humiliated and dismissed in one
session after a reasonable close match. But still it’ll be a good contest we would hope.
South Australia though will have to stop Tasmanian’s very good and very long batting order.
They had Tasmania 3/10 in the shield match but the so called tailender of Krejza along side
with Tim Paine guided Tasmania to a reasonable score. It also happened in the second innings
where Brendan Drew and Ben Hilfenhaus both stuck around with captain George Bailey who
fired 161.

But for the Redbacks, their tail has been shocking at the best of times. Their tail has not
yet lasted longer than 10 runs, a big difference with the Tigers lower order that have really
annoyed the South Australian bowlers. Another problem for the Redbacks is exactly that,
the bowlers are getting the early wickets but they have yet to knock Tasmania over for
less than three hundred.

The pitch though, and the conditions, will heavily favour the bowlers as the pitch is green and
it’s scheduled to be overcast conditions. Bowlers such as Ben Hilfenhaus will be licking his lips
at conditions which should see the bowl swing. Hilfenhaus bowled really well in the Shield match
but for little result, he’ll be looking for more wickets.

Players to Watch
George Bailey
He scored 161 in the second innings of the Shield match and also snared man of the match. Can
he shown his explosive side in this match. He scored his final fifty runs in 23 balls, that’ll be a
good strike rate even for Twenty/20’s. He’ll also have to make the calls as he is captain despite
Ponting in the team. Bailey will defiantly be pushing for this Australian side, but more importantly
for him, getting Tasmania to a final which is their goal for the year.

Shaun Tait
He absolutely ripped through the Tigers top order in the morning of day 1 but then struggled
throughout the match. But he’ll only get 10 overs here so he won’t be dropping off to much.
That’s Tait’s biggest problem, and something preventing him from playing the longer form of the game,
his stamina. He’ll rip them in first over at around 160khm but then drop below 150kmh and can
only be used in three or four over spells, if that.

Tigers XI
Michael Dighton
Tim Paine
Ricky Ponting
Travis Birt
George Bailey
Rhett Lockyear
James Faulkner
Xavier Doherty
Brett Geeves
Brendan Drew
Ben Hilfenhaus

The Tiger’s will go in with four seamers with the expected conditions. Ed Cowan gets pushed out of
the batting for the more one day player Rhett Lockyear. As for the bowling department Jason Krejza
gets dropped for Xavier Doherty.

 

[MaD]

I love that presentation

 

[Gaurav_7]

That website layout is top-class. Good writing as well. This story is good but I have to say it still just doesn't match the level of what your other story reached.

 

[CG123]

Great presentation, and good luck for your upcoming match.
The website style does look good.

 

[Covvy]

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Other Matches
Western Australia vs Queensland Ford Ranger Cup ​

Western Australia 142 all out off 40.2 overs
M.Marsh 56(70)
A.Heal 20(45)
N.Rimington 8-2-11-3
B.Laughlin 7-1-15-3

Queensland 5/143 off 27.2 overs
G.Batticciotto 37(33)
L.Carseldine 36(53)
A.Noffke 7-1-34-2
M.Johnson 4-0-16-1

Match Summary​

The Queensland bowlers ripped through the Warriors top order to have them in massive trouble. Rimmington and Laughlin both got three wickets each. If not for Mitchell Marsh’s classy 56, their total would have been way down. The Bulls batsmen had no real worries getting the runs despite Ashley Noffke picking up two early wickets. Glen Batticciotto helped Queensland chase down the bonus point with plentiful of overs remaining.

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Western Australia vs Queensland Sheffield Shield​

Western Australia 59 all out off 23.4 overs
L.Ronchi 17(28)
J.Hopes 6-1-9-4
N.Rimmington 7-2-17-3

Queensland 213 all out off 58.1 overs
R.Harris 44(59)
J.Hopes 43(74)
A.Heal 18-2-37-2
M.Johnson 15-2-42-2

Western Australia 311 all out off 92.1 overs
S.Marsh 54(73)
M.Hussey 53(86)
B.Laughlin 27-2-77-4
J.Hopes 15.1-2-35-2

Queensland 6/158 off 43.3 overs
C.Simpson 58*(86)
G.Batticciotto 46(74)
A.Noffke 10-1-28-2

Match Summary​

Queensland, much like the one day match, smashed through the Warriors whole batting line-up. They bowled them all out for 59 inside the first session mainly thanks to Nathan Rimmington who opened up the bowling brilliantly to take three wickets and James Hopes who came on and wrapped up the tail for four wickets. The Warriors bowlers did try in the predominately a bowlers game, but the Bulls 213 was still too big of lead thanks to some good batting by the tail. But the Warriors still had hope as they posted 311 in their second innings thanks to Shaun Marsh and Mike Hussey. But Chris Simpson guided the Bulls home by four wickets.

 

[Aussie Team]

Western Australia 59 All Out!!!!

Is The Pitch For Bowl's???

 

[Covvy]

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Ford Ranger Cup 1st innings

On a very cold Adelaide day, the home side won the toss and sent the Tigers in to bat on a bowler?s day. But the Tasmanian openers of Paine and Dighton got a good start going. The opening combo was beginning to get a real worry for South Australia as they were trying to make full use of the conditions. The ball was swinging around, it was just that the batsmen were playing great. But in the eighth over Gary Putland got the breakthrough. He bowled a slower ball which Dighton didn?t pick up on and he spooned it back to the bowler, out caught and bowled for 18.

Tasmania were now 1/36 with the new man Ponting looking settled straight away. He got his eye in as Tim Paine and himself guided the Tigers total past 50 after ten overs. Interestingly, the Redbacks decided against taking the bowlers powerplay, a very rare and surprising move. But the plan didn?t backfire as the next over Tim Paine blasted Haberfield for a cover drive which seemed to be destined for the ropes but short cover dived down to his left and took a blinder, sending Paine on his way for 28.

Ricky Ponting decided to lift the pressure and up the run rate, but he just added more to the pressure soon getting out. It was a very unlucky dismissal in anybody?s eyes. Dan Christan bowled a sneaky slower ball way outside off stump which Ponting misjudged and got a thick inside edge which crashed onto the stump, he was gone for a quick fire 26 off 25 balls and Tasmania were now 3/84 in a bit of trouble.

The two new batsmen at the crease, Birt and Bailey were both getting settled in, keeping the run rate just below 6 an over, but just like all the other batsmen Bailey was gone just as he was starting to build a decent innings. His namesake in Cullen Bailey got him to nick one behind to be keeper and depart for 18. Now the Tigers last pure batsmen, Rhett Lockyear, was at the crease. Their partnership began to build solidly.

But yet again, the partnership couldn?t get decent as Travis Birt couldn?t ad on to his start, edging one behind off Dan Christan for 26. So now young all rounder James Faulkner, who bowled well in the Shield match, was now going to have to bat particularly well. He survived the first few balls well as after 30 overs Tasmania are 5/161 and the game well in the balance.

Tasmania 5/161 off 30 overs
T.Birt 36(44)
T.Paine 28(34)
R.Ponting 26(25)
D.Christan 7-0-42-2
C.Bailey 4-0-27-1
G.Putland 8-0-36-1

 

[Harshshah]

161/5 in 30 over's a good start but way to many wicket's gone Hope Tassie play well

 

[MaD]

Wow, excellent bowling by SA, Tasmania need to hang in there

 

[Covvy]

Hey guys, with school just starting again and me having a very busy shedule of after school sports also, don't expect too many updates frequently. By no means I'm finishing this story now, but I won't be rushing to finish the next update. I'l be just doing it in my (rarely) spare time.

Hope you guys understand, and keep enjoying reading my story

 

[Covvy]

http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/5802/matchn.png​

Ford Ranger Cup 1st innings

James Faulkner and Rhett Lockyear was both playing very smart cricket, pushing singles and the occasional two. The home crowd was getting annoyed at their captain for letting Tasmania get the runs flowing. Soon enough the batting pair brought up their 50 run partnership, and also Tasmania?s 200 runs. Tasmania was now on the front foot, trying to get their total up to a decent score of 275+. Rhett Lockyear brought up his very patient 50 off 62 balls, unlike himself as he usually is a hitter of the ball.

After 40 overs the Tigers were at 5/214 and the Redbacks really needing a wicket soon to expose the tail. Tasmania now wanted the run rate to climb more as they decided to take the Batting powerplay. But it was South Australia who took advantage of the fielders been in close, forcing Tasmania to actually try and hit it through the field, instead of the cheap singles.

The pressure for runs became too much for Rhett Lockyear as he tried to hit a Haberfield ball out of the ground, but only managed to sky it high into the air which the cover fieldsman took relatively comfortably to have Lockyear departing for 57. It got better for the Redbacks as next over, the spinner Cullen Bailey bowled a beautiful flipper to clean bowl the other in batsmen for a well played 30, Tasmania all of a sudden 7/230 and in trouble.

It still got much better for the Redbacks as three Cullen Bailey balls later, the new man Geeves swing and missed a straight ball as it crashed into the stumps. The now two new players at the crease, Drew and Doherty, began to really press for most crucial runs at this stage of the match. But Drew pressed a bit too hard as he looped up a poor shot straight to the fielder as he departed for 5. The Tigers now only had 1 wicket left and were at 244. Xavier Doherty tried what he could, hitting more valuable runs in an important cameo, but his run eventually ended on 18(14) after been caught and dragging Tasmania to a good total, especially on the green wicket of 260.

Tasmania 260 all out off 47 overs
R.Lockyear 57(74)
T.Birt 36(44)
J.Faulkner 30(46)
C.Bailey 10-1-56-3
G.Putland 9-1-46-2
J.Haberfield 10-0-52-2

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BJ: Now I, Brendan Julian, and Mark Waugh are in the box talking about the innings. Mark, Tasmania getting a solid total you think?

MW: Yeah it was a very good score and Tasmania would definitely have taken that this morning if asked, especially in those horrible batting conditions. But I reckon they definitely should have got more runs than they ended up getting with the start they got.

BJ: Another notable thing about the Tigers scorecard is the fact that many players got a good start and were just starting to set themselves up for a big score, but then got out in the late 20?s or 30?s. The only person to half go on was Rhett Lockyear but he still didn?t post a match winning score.

MW: But I think the bowlers were the main reason behind Tasmania?s little collapse. When the Tigers took the batting powerplay, I was thinking well over 280 would be the score, but like we?ve seen many times before the batting powerplay actually hampered the batting side due to tight bowling and also bowling to their fields.

BJ: I agree with you on that one as well, it?s going to be a hard total to chase still though.

MW: Yes, extremely difficult, remember the pitch is still green but the clouds are lifting a bit as we speak. They do need to get off to a good start if they want any chance, as for Tasmania, they just need early wickets to apply pressure.

BJ: Okay, now we have Damien Fleming who?s down with the Tasmanian skipper George Bailey.

DF: Thanks guys, now I have George Bailey down here with me. Now George the weather conditions must be like you?ve never left Tasmania, but still a good score?

GB: Yeah I think it?s a decent score. Obviously we should have had more if it not had been for those stupid ?batting? tailenders. But still none of us ?real? batsmen could add on to our good starts except for Rhett Lockyear.

DF: Hey! Most Tailenders average well into the 10?s. Anyway how do you think South Australia bowled out there?

GB: Usually when we come up here it?s like going into a national pie factory. But today I think we only ran into a pie store. It was a bit better today but still god awful, it was pretty much our fault the ways we got out. Not one wicket was from good bowling.

DF: I agree with you on that one, South Australia?s are no good, as is your side and don?t get me started on New South Wales! Victoria?s the only half decent team out there. Anyway that concludes our interview with Dud-Mania?s, ha ha get it the dud replaces the Tas, captain George Bailey.

 

[MaD]

Lol, Lockyear was a little unlucky, goot total by Tasmania, great update

 

[Covvy]

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Ford Ranger Cup 2nd innings

The Redbacks had a solid start to their chase. In the fifth over Ben Hilfenhaus got the slow going Daniel Harris to completely miss-hit a ball straight to cover, but the fieldsmen dropped an absolute sitter. Now Harris wanted to try and hurt Tasmania for their wasted opportunity, it didn?t hurt the Tigers much though as in the eighth over Geeves clean bowled him for 14. The new man in, Mark Cosgrove, made no time in getting himself in. The third ball he faced he hit a wide James Faulkner ball for six right over point.

The run rate was now past six and it was climbing steadily as Klinger and Cosgrove continued to go rapid. Klinger soon brought up his half century, thanks to a huge six out of the ground off Doherty, off 43 balls. But Doherty got revenge as Klinger tried to hit him over mid-wicket, but was bowled for 58. The Redbacks however were still in a dominant position at 2/120 and the RRQ only at 4.07.

The runs were still ticking over ferociously with boundaries been made almost every second ball. But Tasmania still applied the pressure as next Doherty over he bowls a magical delivery that pitched well out-side off which Cosgrove tries to smash through the covers, only for the ball to spin back and take out off-stump. With the dangerous Cosgrove, who scored 43(30), Tasmania were now well back into the game despite the run rate required under 4.

It got better for Tasmania as Ferguson blocked one away to point, which Borgas quickly went for the run, but it was Ricky Ponting, and nobody messes with Ponting. Borgas tried to get into the crease but Ponting swooped on the ball and nailed a direct hit, easily out for 1 and now South Australia were 4/132. Next over Doherty striked again, Ferguson skied one straight up in the air and was gone for 16.

But still the wickets kept on coming. A few balls later Manou tried to hit a Doherty ball for six, but it came quicker than expected and he spooned it to mid-off, the Redbacks all of a sudden 6/158. Now the pressure was fully on South Australia as Brendan Drew and Ben Hilfenhaus both began to bowl brilliantly, not allowing the Redbacks anything. But still no wicket occurred as Christan began to look like the main man for South Australia to win.

South Australia 6/176 require 85 off 120 balls
M.Klinger 58(47)
M.Cosgrove 43(30)
D.Christan 25*(35)
X.Doherty 5-0-52-4
B.Geeves 7-0-43-1

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[MaD]

Wow, nail biting match right here

 

[hedger_14]

Doherty with 4 wickets might just win the game for Tassie. The run rate required is gettable but SA have lost too many wickets, I reckon and will have to fight to win this game.