Story Dream To Wear The Baggy Green ? A C2007 Career Story

[Short Leg]

One-Day Tour Game (D/N)
Victorian Bushrangers Vs New Zealand
The MCG, Melbourne
7th December 2006

Back in dressing rooms after the game the kiwis came for a visit. They aren?t the worst bunch of blokes and they told us that they think they are in with a big chance of winning the VB Series after they were beaten 3-0 in the test series. I told them they were dreaming and they handed them a few sheep jokes, which ended in a stunned silence. There was no visit from the selectors though or any quiet taps on the shoulder so who they thought played well will remain a mystery.

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Nathan Astle was given the man of the match after what he said was one of the best hit out?s he?d had in a while. He also did an interview for channel 9 telling the public that the kiwis were in town to pick up the win and that they had already booked the hotel for the final with is a 3 game series. It?s back to the normal season for us Bushrangers now with our next match being an ING Cup fixture back here at the MCG against the Queensland Bulls on the 12th, which will probably be our toughest test of the season so far.

 

[surendar]

Slats was little expensive... i feel he can be tried as a third bowler... But NZ was in better position throughout!!!

Better luck next time

 

[Left_Hander]

Nathan Astle deserved the man of the match award. Better luck for your game agianst the Queensland Bulls.

 

[Short Leg]

Friday ? The Day After
8th December 2006
11:00am

All the boys are coming back down to earth now after yesterdays match because it?s now back too business in the domestic competition. I sat down this morning to find the report of yesterdays, which sore me get a few mentions but not really for the right reasons.

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Our next match will be a tough one against Jimmy Maher who is in some of the best form of his career and is looking at booking a place in the Australia A squad before the end of the season. The VB Series squad is set to be named soon and the inside word is that our skipper Cameron White is a chance to get called up although he probably wont play in to many games which will mean we will need a replacement spin bowler which there aren?t a lot of in Victoria. Speaking of the VB Series the Sri Lankan?s play their tour match today against the New South Wales Blues, which will be an interesting match that the Lankan?s should win against a struggling Blues outfit.

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We are back at training on Sunday the 10th with the game on the 12th so there is plenty of time for the boys to get ready for the match that will see two of the competitions top ranked sides go head to head at the MCG.

 

[Left_Hander]

Nice work with the newspaper. I think the Sri Lankans will beat the Blues. I wonder who will replace Cameron White if he is called up to play for Australia A.

 

[Short Leg]

Saturday ? At Home
9th December 2006
3:00pm

It?s a busy day doing nothing as I normally do in between games and training, as the hectic life of a domestic cricketer is tiring. Then the phone rang.

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Slatter: Hello

Answer: Hi Jesse, Im a representative from Willow Wizard we understand you used to use our bats back in your junior days.

Slatter: Yeah they didn?t go to badly either.

Willow Wizard: Yeah well we have had our eye on you this season a bit unlucky against New Zealand to.

Slatter: I guess that?s the way it goes when your captain stuffs up his overs.

Willow Wizard: That?s ok we have faith in you for the future. Listen we?d like you to start using our bats.

Slatter: That would be great but im contracted with Impala.

Willow Wizard: We can take care of that just as long as you sign with up. We?ll take care of you and give you all the gear you need.

Slater: Yeah I can?t see why not.

Willow Wizard: Ok great, as you would know we sponsor your teammates Jason Arnberger and Allan Wise so you wont be the only one. We?ll get you some gear before your next match, which is against the Bulls I believe.

Slatter: Yeah that?s right Im looking forward to it.

Willow Wizard: We think you are capable of going a long way in the next few seasons mate.

Slatter: Im not sure I haven?t really scored that many runs in the Pura Cup.

Willow Wizard: Don?t worry about that the runs will come. Just focus on playing your best cricket and you?ll get the hang of being a domestic cricketer.

Slatter: Ok well thanks mate.

Willow Wizard: Alright we?ll see you around then. Bye.

 

[madmick96]

theres a willow wizard bat in the game?

 

[Short Leg]

Thanks to Burma there is

 

[Short Leg]

Saturday ? VB Series
9th December 2006
5:30pm

Cricket Australia has held a press conference announcing the 16-man squad for the upcoming VB Series. This year the selectors have included some new faces in the squad that will go up against New Zealand and Sri Lanka. The rotation policy used in recent years has created much controversy but there has been no word as yet about whether that is the plan for this year. The fixtures for the series have also been made public with world cricket hoping for some tough competition unlike previous years.

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Some new inclusions to the Australian squad are South Australia Mark Cosgrove who?s selection is an interesting one as he has not been in the best of form. West Australian Brett Dorey started his season off well and appears in the squad as well as Victorian Cameron White who is the only squad member from his state but what a season he has had. The VB Series starts with Australia Vs Sri Lanka on the 11th.

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[Short Leg]

Victorian Bushrangers Vs Queensland Bulls Preview
At The MCG
Tuesday 12th December 2006

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History Say?s:

Matches in Melbourne:15

Victorian Bushrangers ? 8 Wins and 7 Losses ? Wining Percentage: 53.33
Queensland Bulls - 7 Wins and 8 Losses ? Winning Percentage: 46.67

A safe bet to go with the Victorians however the stats suggests that there is little in this match and it may just come down to an individual?s performance to help their team to victory. The toss might play a big part in this match.

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2006/2007 Season Ranking:

Victoria Bushrangers? 2nd Played 4 and won 3 with 1 loss ? 12 points- NRR 0.06
Queensland Bulls ? 3rd Played 5 and won 3 with 2 losses ? 12 points ? NRR ?0.05

The Bulls are a spot below the Bushrangers on Net Run Rate but they have also played an extra game, which means that a win at home for the Bushrangers will see them go above the Western Australia Warriors at the top of the table. This one shapes up as a very important match that the Bulls need to win to stay in touch with the leaders, which they need to do to stay in contention for the final.

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The Key Players Go Head to Head:

Match-up 1 - Jimmy Maher Vs Jon Moss



There is little that can be compared to the form that Jimmy Maher is in this season but Jon Moss has also had a great start to the season. Going head to head as openers this match-up is expected to go to the Queensland captain because any score under 50 for him is a disappointment in the form he is in this season.

Queensland: 1
Victoria: nil

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Match-up 2 - Martin Love Vs Michael Klinger



Klinger the opener against Martin Love the experienced number 3. Klinger has fought hard for his place in the team over the years and has finally found a place in the team with some great knocks already this season. Martin Love hasn?t drawn attention to himself with the bat and can expect to be out done by the Victorian.

Queensland: 1
Victoria: 1

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Match-up 3 ? Brad Hodge Vs Clinton Perren



The former Australian Brad Hodge tackles experienced campaigner Clinton Perren who never took that extra step in his career. Hodge although he hasn?t set the world on fire this season should win the battle against Perren who is without massive amounts of time at the crease this season.

Queensland: 1
Victoria: 2

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Match-up 4 ? Dave Hussey Vs Shane Watson



Dave Hussey has started the season with a bang. He is finally showing his potential after living in his brother?s shadow for so long in his career. Shane Watson has been to the top but hasn?t been the same since that shoulder injury that sore him spend some time on the sidelines. Hussey to win this match-up due to the runs he?s scored so far compared to Watson who has counted a win as just making it onto the field.

Queensland: 1
Victoria: 3

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Match-up 5 ? Jesse Slatter Vs Lachlan Stevens



Slatter has performed well with the willow so far this season with half-century?s to his name however he hasn?t found his place with the ball seeing as he has just been used to fill in overs. Stevens on the other hand is definitely a big part of this Bulls outfit. You wouldn?t believe he has the 5th most wickets in the competition and is also a very talented batsman. A win for the Bulls here.

Queensland: 2
Victoria: 3

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Match-up 6 ? Nathan Pilon Vs Chris Hartley



What match would it be without a battle of the keepers? Pilon has found a place in the team at the expense of Crosthwaite early on in the season but hasn?t put it in concrete. Hartley on the other hand has been a key for Queensland success. A quick-footed keeper and a handy batsman down the order should provide a kick at the end of the innings for the Bulls.

Queensland: 3
Victoria: 3

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Match-up 7 ? Allan Wise Vs Andy Bichel



Allan Wise has displayed his ability to pick up vital breakthrough in his role as 3rd paceman in the Victorians side. However Andy Bichel will take a piece of the new ball for Queensland and his batting ability down the order is always valuable. Let?s not forget what he did for Australia last World Cup with the willow. Bichel wins this battle due to his versatility.

Queensland: 4
Victoria: 3

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Match-up 8 ? Mick Lewis Vs Mitchell Johnson



Mick Lewis will spearhead the Victorian attack as will Johnson. 7 wickets so far this one- day season will see him important to the success of the Victorians. Johnson hasn?t been able to repeat his Pura Cup performances where he is one of the leading wicket takers in the one-day form so the match-up goes to the Victorian.

Queensland: 4
Victoria: 4

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There you have it. It?s all even on paper so the question is which players will fire come game day. The match will start at 10:30 EST in Melbourne and will run through the day. Don?t miss a minute off what will be one of the season?s best matches so far only on Channel 9.

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[Cricket_60]

Good to see a tight contest coming up

 

[Left_Hander]

Fantastic work with the match-ups. I think you got them all right. Glad you didn't be biased over yourself . It is also good that your not using big name bats straight away eg: Gray Nicolls, Kookaburra etc. I think this could be one of the matches of the season so far.

 

[Short Leg]

Thanks boys. Yeah it looks like an even match coming up

 

[Short Leg]

Around The Grounds ​

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First on the agenda was the Sri Lankan?s final hit out at the SCG before going into the VB Series. The tourists exploded out of the blocks through experienced campaigner Sanath Jayasuriya and backed up by the middle order to post a massive total of 310 from their 50 overs in front of the stunned locals who?s season couldn?t get much worse at the moment. The Blues then crumbled in the chase to be all out for 200 after just 36 overs. Both of the touring teams have now won their warm up matches, which will attract crowds hoping for a competitive VB Series for once.

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New South Wales had just days to get back on the horse at the SCG again but this time they were at full strength with Katich, Lee, McGrath and Clarke to name a few had a hit as did Gilchrist, Martyn and Hussey for Western Australia. It was the home side that upset the top ranked WACA?s to poll their 2nd win of the season.

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VB Series - Game 1​

The VB Series kicked off with Australia Vs Sri Lanka at the MCG. The visitors won the toss a decided to bat on a flat pitch. Jayasuriya and Tharanga stared in what was a very good an unexpected performance by the tourists. They were particularly good in the late over reaching a massive total of 301 from their 50 overs.

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It was never going to be easy for a stunned Australia to rack up 300 batting second but they did all they could in the opening overs to get off to a flying start. Gilchrist, Katich and Symonds all made half centuries with Ponting falling just short but in the end it was the Sri Lankan?s against the odds coming away with 5 points winning by 13 runs.

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The Australian?s pick up just one point from the match with the next game between what is now the powerhouse Sri Lanka Vs a quietly confident New Zealand side. Victoria Vs Queensland is coming up soon live from the MCG.

 

[kookaburra69]

i love the player to player analysis mate,great stuff