Victorian Bushrangers Vs Queensland Bulls The MCG, Melbourne
12th December 2006
With 5 overs to go the agreement was to start hitting out in a bid to match the 10 an over required run rate and Hodgey wasted no time picking up boundaries. All I had to do was watch from the non-strikers end as Brad picked the gaps with ease to the fence to get on top of the task before his over aggressive mood caught up with him. On 32 Hodge came charging down the wicket at Watson and had a swipe at an outswining delivery that took the top edge and lobbed up to Perren at mid off.
Nathan Pilon is the new man in but it looks like the hard work is going to have to be done by me. With under 4 overs to go we require 8 an over to get over the line with 5 wickets in hand. It seems like all of the one-day matches the Bushrangers play these days are going down to the wire and this one is no exception.
Victorian Bushrangers 5/158
Run Rate ? 4.90
Projected Total ? 176
32.2 overs
Victorian Bushrangers Vs Queensland Bulls The MCG, Melbourne
12th December 2006
Nathan Pilon made an impressive start to his innings blasting a pull shot off the back foot between the two fielders at forward square leg, which let?s the Bulls know that we aren?t going to quit the chase now. However any impact he had was minimal as it took just 3 balls for Pilon to edge an away swininger from Watson followed by a class diving catch from the keeper Hartley.
The good news is that we are getting down towards a run a ball required now but at the same time the wickets are falling and we are now into the tail with Gerard Denton in now. Shane Watson is going to be the danger man in these last few overs as he now has 3 wickets in just 3 overs, which is no easy feet to achieve. A couple of boundaries to get on top of the chase would really be handy as this match is going down to the wire now.
Victorian Bushrangers 6/166
Run Rate ? 5.10
Projected Total ? 183
32.5 overs
Victorian Bushrangers Vs Queensland Bulls The MCG, Melbourne
12th December 2006
Gerard Denton joined me at the crease under instruction to do everything he could to give me strike, as that?s obviously the only way the Bushrangers can get on top of this chase. He did his job first ball by getting on e into the cow corner region for a double to end the over, which means 18 balls to go to get the runs. I managed a handy two off the first ball of the 34th over delivered by James Hopes who has copped some hammer since being brought into the attack. In the back of my head is that we need a boundary and that?s exactly what I went for as Hopes came in for ball two which pitched on middle and leg, drifting into my pads but all I got was an air swing and a hopeful appeal for LBW. However to the umpire it wasn?t obviously as straightforward as it should have been as he thought about it before giving an absolute shocker of a decision.
It took me a while to come to terms with what just happened as I stood in disbelief looking back at the umpire wondering what the idiot was thinking giving me out. The spirit of cricket forbids attacks on the umpire, which is quite unfortunate, as this bloke deserves a bat through the head. James Hopes has the wicket and along with that pretty match goes any hope of the Bushrangers winning the game that we have dominated. It?s up to the tailenders to do something completely against the odds now.
Victorian Bushrangers 7/170
Run Rate ? 5.12
Projected Total ? 184
33.2 overs
Victorian Bushrangers Vs Queensland Bulls The MCG, Melbourne
12th December 2006
With Dirk Nannes walking out to the middle to join Gerard Denton the vibe in the dressing room wasn?t good as I depended and took a seat to watch the final couple of overs. James Hopes delivered some beautiful balls to Nannes however he still managed a boundary in the over to give us hope of an unlikely win.
Gerard Denton took strike to Shane Watson for the 2nd last over and got tied down from the word go. Dot ball after dot ball meant that the odds of winning are now suddenly evaporating like a drop of water in the summer sun. The result was a maiden to go into the last over needing double figures to win. Shane Watson finishes with what looks to be match-winning figures of 3/16 off just 4 overs. During the over I also spotted a quick thinking fan that had prepared a sign in fast time echoing my thoughts on the LBW decision that has me in the pavilion.
James Hopes was trusted with the ball for the last over by the Queensland skipper Jimmy Maher and with just one boundary off the over the Bulls get home for an unlikely win as the dressing room goes silent as the final ball goes through to the keeper after a swing and miss.
The loss now means us Bushrangers drop down to 3rd on the ING Cup table which is disappointing after having a tight grip on the match right up until the late stages where the Bulls grabbed the momentum from some inspirational bowling performances and class in the field. Hopefully the Bushrangers can bounce back from the tough defeat in their own backyard next time they take the field.
Victorian Bushrangers Vs Queensland Bulls The MCG, Melbourne
12th December 2006
Match Presentation
Tony Greig: Were in the middle of the MCG for the first match presentation of the domestic season but thankfully due to Cricket Australia we are promoting the Spirit Of Cricket so these match presentations will follow every match from now on. Now down to business I have Jon Moss next to me and well you just got edged out in this one Mossy.
Jon Moss: Yeah it?s a disappointment to have lost the match after we controlled it for most of the day really. On the plus side though we had a lot of stand out performances from individuals, which will do us good in the future.
Tony Greig: Do you believe that if the match was unaffected by rain the result would have been different?
Jon Moss: Possibly, We won?t go into that though because we can?t change the result now all we can do is prepare for our next match.
Tony Greig: Talk us through what the vibe in the dressing room was like in those final few overs. Did you believe you could win?
Jon Moss: We always thought we could win but after Slats got out the confidence started to go down. You can never expect tailenders to have to make double figures in the last over though that job should have been up to the batsman.
Tony Greig: Well you got in there yourself with a nice 44 as the Victorian top scorer.
Jon Moss: Yeah it was good to get a few runs but I got out after a good start and I guess it?s a little bit disappointing to have left the team in the position they were in.
Tony Greig: Thanks Jon we appreciate your time.
Jon Moss: No worries Tony, Cheers.
Tony Greig: Now we have the victorious Queensland captain Jimmy Maher. Jimmy you must have been happy to get up right at the end in a tight match.
Jimmy Maher: Yeah definitely. When the rain came we weren?t looking good at all but a lot of the credit has to go to Andy Bichel who got us vital runs in the last few overs of our innings that we had to have on the board.
Tony Greig: Also Shane Watson?s 3/16 was another key point that helped turn the match in your favour when the Bushrangers looked like they had the match in the bag.
Jimmy Maher: For sure yeah Wato is just a class player who should really be playing for Australia. A few more performances like that and im sure the selectors will have to take notice.
Tony Greig: The win now takes you to the top of the ING Cup table based on net run rate do you feel that you have the players to win the ING Cup this year?
Jimmy Maher: We wouldn?t bother showing up if we didn?t think we could win the thing and today was just another step towards that. I have a feeling that WA are going to be up there but you cant write off the Victorians who showed how good they are today. It?s definitely going to be an interesting second half of the season im sure.
Tony Greig: Thanks for talking to us Jimmy and best of luck with the rest of the season.
Jimmy Maher: Thanks Tony.
Tony Greig: It gives me great pleasure to announce the Man Of The Match for his figures of 3/16 off 4 overs and that man is Shane Watson. Shane a fantastic fight back to win the match led by yourself.
Shane Watson: It was a great team effort and the boys never gave up hope no matter how unlikely a win seemed. We deserved our result today and hopefully it?s going to go well for us for the rest of the season.
Tony Greig: What do you think the rest of the season holds for you. Can you make it back to the Australian one-day or test side?
Shane Watson: I would certainly hope so. If I can keep making runs and taking wickets then there is no reason why not. If I play my best cricket then I can always return.
Tony Greig: And what about the Bulls chances of contesting the final?
Shane Watson: Well our chances are greater then ever of going all the way and hosting the final. Of course we have an extra game on the rest of the competition but the boys confidence going into the last 4 games of the ING Cup season ill be sky high.
Tony Greig: Ok Shane best of luck for the future and thanks for the chat.
Shane Watson: It was a pleasure Tony thanks for the award.
Tony Greig: That?s it from the presentation today recapping on a 10 run win for the Queensland Bulls. That?s also it for the ING Cup on Channel 9 which will now be covered on Fox Sports. However you can still join us for all the action in the Pura Cup and the VB series of course. Thanks for joining us today but until next match it?s goodbye.
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We now cross to the Fox Sports studio for the first episode of Inside Cricket for the season.
Live From The Fox Sports Studio And Back By Popular Demand It's
Brendan Julian: Welcome to the first episode of Inside Cricket for the 2006/2007 season. We are pleased to say that Fox Sports will now be bringing you all the action of the ING Cup for the remainder of the season and you wont have to get up from your comfortable air chair. Im joined in the studio by former Australian middle order batsman Mark Waugh.
Mark Waugh: Thanks BJ its good to be here.
BJ: And former Australia opening batsman Michael Slater.
Michael Slater: Its great to be back.
BJ: Of course we have just witnessed a great game from the MCG and if youve just joined us the Queensland Bulls have gotten over the line in a rain affected 36 over match by 10 runs. A great never say die effort from the Bulls there wasnt it Junior.
Waugh: Yeah, The Victorians had control of the match for the majority of the day but a few stand out performances got the Bulls home.
BJ: Speaking of stand out performances Slats. Andy Bichel showed that he still has it with the willow.
Slater: Thats right BJ you can never count him out and he defiantly got the Bulls out of a hole in the closing over of the innings with a cameo innings that we have come to love from him.
BJ: I think that the mistake made by the Bushrangers was that they didnt really want to take up the chase. They were keen to take it easy in the opening overs and try and slog at the end. Missing their regular captain Cameron White may have also played a part in the on field tactics they undertook. Am I right Mark?
Waugh: Youve hit the nail on the head their BJ. We didnt see anyone wanting to get the chase over and done with and really taking the match up to the Bulls and as a result a class bowling attack just got on top of the home side and once a few middle order batsman were dismissed they couldnt get back in it. The Bushrangers definitely missed Cameron White who is with the Australia one-day team at the moment.
BJ: The result means that the ING Cup is definitely a hot contest with the Bulls going to the top with 16 points from Western Australia and Victoria who are both on 12 points. Before the season you were talking up the Blues as future back to back ING Cup champions Slats. Whats happened?
Slater: I wish I could tell you BJ the Blues look to be really struggling in both forms of the game despite having a class squad. Realistically their Pura Cup hopes are gone but I still have them penciled in to play in the ING Cup final even though they only have 8 points on the board.
BJ: So your tipping the Blues to make a comeback and get to the ING Cup final are you Slats?
Slater: There are still 5 matches for them to make up the 4-point difference so Ill make a bold prediction and say they will contest the final against the Bulls who are just a powerhouse side at the moment. In the Pura Cup however the Bushrnagers are too hard to go past and they will beat the Bulls in the replay of last years final in my opinion.
BJ: Well now that we have Slats tips whats your opinion Mark?
Waugh: Unfortunately I think your dreaming Slats. For me it will be a Western Warriors Vs Queensland Bulls ING Cup final, which the Warriors should win due to the attacking nature of players such as Voges and Rogers plus the rest. In the Pura Cup Im the same as Slats. The Bushrangers are to hard to go past and they should get revenge from losing last years final after the Bulls put on 900 runs.
Slats: Our Blues are struggling Mark and it probably is wishful thinking to say that they will make the final however I just think that they need a good leader in the future that wont be on off in terms of international duty.
Waugh: Just to add to that Slats I dont think that they have had a stand out player who has been putting his hand up to lead the team. A team of champions doesnt make a champion team.
BJ: Lets switch our attention to the international side of things now as Australia does battle in the VB Series along with Sri Lanka and New Zealand. Just the one game has been completed in the series so far between Australia and Sri Lanka with the touring side getting up against the odds Slats.
Slater: I think it took everyone by surprise. No one expected to see Sri Lanka even in with a chance to contest the final but now all of a sudden they have a win against the world champions.
Waugh: In my opinion it was a one off. Sri Lanka doesnt have the experience or personal to compete with Australia or New Zealand over a long period of time. Jayasuriya is the only Sri Lanka that can lead the team. If he fails they will all fail.
BJ: I might have to agree with you Mark but Sri Lankan cricket is headed in the right direction to hopefully be a major force in the upcoming world cup under the coaching of Tom Moody.
Slater: Even though they have started with a disappointing loss Australia has come back from the jaws of defeat to many times and Id say that they will do it again and win the VB Series like they do every year.
BJ: And on that note its time for us to leave you. Thanks to Mark Waugh and Michael Slater for joining me after what has been a great game of cricket in Melbourne. Dont forget to join us again next time when a special guest will join us on the show. Until them stay tuned to all the ING Cup cricket only on Fox Sports. See you next time.
Tuesday ? Cricket Australia Press Conference
12th December 2006
5:00pm
Today Cricket Australia has launched a press conference. The announcement is that the 20Twenty Big Bash that was held last year will again feature on the calendar this year to mark the half way point of the domestic season.
?The 20Twenty Big Bash was a huge success with both the fans and players and is a great way to promote the spirit of the game and also get some of the younger fans through the gate who don?t have a particular interest in the longer form of the game? said Cricket Australia?s CEO James Suntherland. ?The tournament will run over 3 days from 14th December ? 16th December with all the teams playing their first game on the same day followed by the second game the day after and then the two highest finishing teams will play off in the final on the 16th of December meaning that none of the ING or Pura Cup games are effected.? Sutherland Explained. The game is famous for it?s fast pace and party like atmosphere which will provide great entertainment over the 3 days and also a new experience to players that are yet to be exposed to this particular style of the game.
?We are happy to announce that ING are on board with us for the 20Twenty Big Bash as they have been with the ING Cup. Their support and sponsorship is very much appreciated.? Added Sutherland. ?Fans unable to get to the ground will be glad to know that they can see all of the action live on Fox Sports for the very first time which means that domestic cricket has a bigger exposure to the public then ever before which is a huge plus for the game in Australia.? The fixtures for the 20 Twenty Big Bash is as follows.
With just a couple of days until the tournament gets underway the teams better get cracking literally in their preparation for 20 overs of madness. If you?re keen to make the action just a little bit more interesting here are the odds to win the tournament courtesy of TAB Sportsbet. Reps will be awarded to those that are good enough to pick the winner.
The Victorian Bushrangers will start the 20Twenty Big Bash as favourites due to the fact that they won it last season but they are closely followed by the Queensland Bulls who are in red-hot form as are the Western Warriors. Anything can happen in 20Twenty cricket and no lead is safe so don?t miss a minute of it.
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That's quite a challenge, good luck with this one. Brilliant story.
