Bushrangers up against it
Thu, 19 November 2009
Having already conceded points to the opposition in a Sheffield Shield game for the first time in 21 months, Victoria's hopes of getting anything out of their clash with Western Australia at the MCG began to fade on Thursday. At lunch on day three the Warriors, having already claimed first innings points on day two, had reached 2-83 in their second innings an overall lead of 114 with eight wickets still in hand. But two wickets in the morning session by all-rounder John Hastings at least gave the Vics the chance of outright points although given the ideal batting conditions and perfect weather on day three at the MCG, the Warriors look capable of building a 300-plus lead. Western Australia began the day at 0-9, an overall lead of 40, after having bowled the defending Shield champions out for 246 on day two in reply to their own first innings total of 277. That was the first time the Bushrangers, who won last year's competition without dropping a single point all season, had surrendered points in a Sheffield Shield match since being beaten outright by Western Australia in Perth in the second last match of the season before last - back in early March of 2008. And the last time the Bushrangers allowed the opposition to take points at the MCG was also against the Warriors way back in October 2007 confirming the boys from the west as the bogy team of the all-conquering Vics. And the Warriors rammed home their advantage early on day three as openers Wes Robinson and Luke Towers saw off the new ball as they put on a 71-run opening stand before Hastings struck in the 23rd over. But there was an element of luck to the breakthrough for the Vics when Robinson tried to leave a ball outside off-stump from Hastings only to watch in horror as it cannoned off the toe of his bat and back onto the stumps as the left-hander departed for 39. However there was no element of luck about Hastings' second wicket four overs later when Shaun Marsh fell cheaply for the second time in the match when he edged a delivery from Hastings that bounced more than he expected to David Hussey at second slip. Western Australia first innings 277 Victorian first innings 246 Western Australia second innings Towers not out 34 Robinson b Hastings 39 Marsh c Hussey b Hastings 2 North not out 4 Extras: 4 (2lb, 2nb) Total: 83 (2 wickets, 31 overs) FOW: 1-71, 2-77 Bowling McKay 6 - 2 - 16- 0 Pattinson 5- 0 - 24- 0 (1nb) McDonald 10 - 3 - 12 - 0 McGain 3 - 1 - 7 - 0 Hastings 7 - 2 - 22 - 2 (1nb)
Paul Gough at the MCG, Sportal
