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

[hell_raiser]

How could you Short Leg? Now my favourite team is going to lose!

 

[Short Leg]

Thanks for the comments everyone. Keeping in mind that this is now a 36 over match due to the rain delay defending 189 isn't impossible which is a required run rate of 5.25 so it's not game over just yet with Johnson and Bichel taking the new ball. I guess this is as good a time as any to announce that the first episode of "Inside Cricket" will be live after the conclusion of this match as Fox Sports have the rights to the ING Cup.

 

[Short Leg]

Victorian Bushrangers Vs Queensland Bulls
The MCG, Melbourne
12th December 2006

Andy Bichel has saved any hope that the Queenslanders had with a rapid-fire innings of 36 from 19 balls. Mick Lewis was the standout performer for us Victorians as he led the bowling attack with 2/26 from 7 overs. Dirk Nannes failed to take a wicket on debut, which may hurt any future chances that he will get to take the field with the side again. The Bulls were hurt by their own mistakes when they failed to identify what was required of them in different situations which resulted in 2 run outs and quick wickets that lowered the visitors run rate.

​

The ball is in Jimmy Maher?s court to decide whether he wants to attack or defend the Victorians. It seems that the latter is the bets option as the Bushrangers have 216 balls to get 190 runs which means they will start the chase favourites with 10 wickets to complete the chase. Cameron White made his point clear during the break that all we have to do is play our best cricket that we have played so far this season. A blasting start isn?t required as long as wickets are in hand with 10 or so overs to go. Losing the toss at the start of the match may have decided the fait of the Bulls as everything has gone against them since then.

​

Michael Klinger and Jon Moss will open the account for Victoria as two of the most reliable members of the batting line-up as far as form is concerned so far this season. Mitchell Johnson and Andy Bichel will share the new ball for the Bulls who will need an early wicket to have a crack at winning this match.

Victorian Bushrangers need 190 runs from 216 balls at 5.25 runs an over

 

[hondeyho]

5.25 an over, that's quite a challenge. Victoria better not hit in the air to get those runs or otherwise they'll lose.

 

[Short Leg]

Victorian Bushrangers Vs Queensland Bulls
The MCG, Melbourne
12th December 2006

Michael Klinger and Jon Moss ventured out onto the MCG under instructions to keep it steady in the opening over and conserve wickets. That is just what they did against the new ball bowling attack of Johnson and Bichel. The partnership went past 25 before Mick Klinger made a mistake on 19 against a Johnson short ball and sent it down the throat of Bichel. It turns out the pair aren?t just a bowling partnership as they combine fore the fall of the first wicket at 1/26. It was clean from then on with Jewell coming in and the boys getting us to the 15 over mark relatively easily.

​

Although it has been a slow start from the boys the team is still happy with the position we are in with 9 wickets in hand to chase down the Bulls in another 21 overs. Jimmy Maher may have to act quickly to either get a breakthrough or stop us Bushrangers from scoring at more then 3 an over as the tempo can easily be picked up later in the innings with wickets in the shed.

Victorian Bushrangers 1/53
Run Rate ? 3.53
Projected Total ? 127
15 overs

Moss 18 (43)*
Jewell 12 (19)*

Johnson 1/25 (7)
Bichel 0/10 (4)
Noffke 0/13 (3)
Stevens 0/2 (1)


Victorian Bushrangers require 136 runs to win from 126 balls at 6.52 an over

 

[w3lshrugby]

Wow, the presentation has changed a bit since I last visited this story - it now looks alot better - great work Short Leg, and long may this continue!

 

[Short Leg]

Thanks mate i finally got myself photoshop.

 

[Bala]

Good photoshop work there Slats! and excellent presentation, as ever!

 

[Short Leg]

Victorian Bushrangers Vs Queensland Bulls
The MCG, Melbourne
12th December 2006

After the fielding restriction were lifted from the 15 over mark onwards it?s up to Nick Jewell and Jon Moss to get the team moving along at around 4.50 to 5 runs an over. Some very restrictive bowling from Bichel and Stevens followed making it hard for the partnership to turn over strike consistently. Mossy displayed his persistence and patience as he worked hard for every run as the partnership went past 50 runs. Finally Moss was brought undone by Stevens after a long innings of 44 from 78 balls including 6 boundaries. Watson took a simple catch to bring the score to 2/95.

​

Watching from the dressing room cam be relaxing until you decided that you can do the job better then your teammates who are falling behind the run rate although they are keeping wickets in hand. The required run rate is now out to over 8 an over which leaves a lot for the middle order including myself to achieve in the dying overs. This match might just live up to the hype as it looks like going down to the wire with just 11 overs remaining. I have a feeling that it?s going to come down to me again as I put the pads on with Dave Hussey in next.

​

The comparison is just about even at the 25 over stage but the difference will be the smashing effort from Andy Bichel in the last overs if a Victorian can?t repeat the feat for the home side to get over the line.

Victorian Bushrangers 2/99
Run Rate ? 3.96
Projected Total ? 132
25 overs

Jewell 28 (42)*
Hodge 4 (2)*

Johnson 1/25 (7)
Bichel 0/17 (5)
Noffke 0/35 (7)
Stevens 1/19 (6)

Victorian Bushrangers require 91 runs to win from 66 balls at 8.27 an over

 

[Short Leg]

Victorian Bushrangers Vs Queensland Bulls
The MCG, Melbourne
12th December 2006

The wicket of Jewell falling just 2 balls into the 26th over was poorly timed for the Bushrangers who are looking to push thing along at this time in the match. The run out of the first drop batsman led to a score of 3/99. Dave Hussey joined Hodge out in the centre as in moved into the ?next man in? seat in the dressing room. Huss must have downed some red cordial before going out to bat because he was in no mood to wait around getting off the mark with a boundary. However a little cameo 23 off a quick fire 14 balls including 3 boundaries and a six with Bichel taking most of the attack was all the youngest Hussey could manage before be caught behind off the bowling of Watson who now has 1/0 off just 4 balls to make the score 4/129 and my time to enter the equation.

​

With 7.2 overs remaining and the run rate required up above 7.50 an over it?s up to Hodgey who hasn?t had a lot of the strike in the last few overs and myself to get the team over the line in a very important match for both sides. As I make my way down the stairs, through the gate and onto the MCG it?s all or nothing now.

​

Victorian Bushrangers 4/127
Run Rate ? 4.47
Projected Total ? 160
28.4 overs

Hodge 9 (8)*
Hussey 23 (14)

Johnson 1/25 (7)
Bichel 0/42 (7)
Noffke 0/35 (7)
Stevens 1/23 (7)
Watson 1/0 (0.4)

Victorian Bushrangers require 61 runs to win from 44 balls at 7.63 an over

 

[Short Leg]

Victorian Bushrangers Vs Queensland Bulls
The MCG, Melbourne
12th December 2006

Hodgey was quick to let me know that he need?s most of the strike at the moment if we are going to get level with the required run rate. The Bulls fielding has been setting the standard for the while competition today as they have done little wrong and given barely any free runs away which puts the pressure back on us and means our placement and running between the wickets need?s to be spot on especially in these last few over where every run is vital and a run out can swing the momentum of the match.

​

My first runs came from a welcome leg side ball, which I worked down to fine leg. Just single figures on the board for me at the moment going into the final 5 overs but hopefully that will change as the required run rate is getting towards 10 an over which is a hard task even for the most versatile stroke makers. Jimmy Maher has set a defensive field protecting the boundaries for the last 30 balls, which is all he has to do. It is up to Hodgey and myself to make some big shots and find the gaps in the field. Can the Bushrangers win it from here or have they let the run rate get away from them to much?

Victorian Bushrangers 4/141
Run Rate ? 4.54
Projected Total ? 163
31 overs

Hodge 18 (17)*
Slatter 2 (5)*

Johnson 1/25 (7)
Bichel 0/42 (7)
Noffke 0/35 (7)
Stevens 1/23 (7)
Watson 1/2 (2)
Hopes 0/9 (1)

Victorian Bushrangers require 49 runs to win from 30 balls at 9.80 an over

 

[kookaburra69]

Looks like you are in for a hard last 5 overs!

 

[Deleted member 13648]

Well presented as always! 10 runs an over might just be a bit to much... but prove me wrong slats!

 

[gamerkid22]

wow nice presentation ...... . Victorian Bushrangers can still win it from here.

 

[Short Leg]

Thanks boys. Cheers