Hussey hails inspired selection
Sun, 24 January 2010
Victorian stand-in captain David Hussey has praised the Bushrangers' hierarchy for their 'masterstroke' selections ahead of the team's 48-run win over the Redbacks in the Big Bash final at Adelaide Oval on Saturday night. After qualifying for the final, the Bushrangers had to make several changes to their line-up with Cameron White, Clint McKay and New Zealand import Ross Taylor unavailable because of national commitments. The side was also without Peter Siddle and injured West Indian recruit Dwayne Bravo. With a massive hole in the line-up, Victoria called upon forgotten batsmen Aiden Blizzard and Rob Quiney along with 19-year-old bowler James Pattinson. Blizzard was named man-of-the-match for his explosive 42 not out off 19 deliveries at the end of the innings, Pattinson took 3-23 and Quiney chipped in with 12 off 13. Hussey said the positive selection calls had definitely paid dividends. "Our coaches have placed belief in Quiney and Blizzard and James Pattinson, who bowled superbly up front," Hussey said. "If you take early wickets like James did you generally win. And Aiden's final couple of overs, to (repeatedly) clear the pickets pretty much won us the game." "It's a great selection, well done to the coaching staff. Hopefully he (Blizzard) continues on doing that throughout the season." Hussey was also proud of the rest of his bowling attack which had the Redbacks on the back foot from the opening of their run chase and maintained the pressure through the middle overs. He described Dirk Nannes' first three-over spell as 'top drawer', felt Andrew McDonald (3-21) helped change the game and said Jon Holland 'came up trumps' after receiving some punishment from Kieron Pollard. Opening batsman Aaron Finch 48 (34) got the tick of approval too. The captain also played a part in the team success, taking a clever catch in the outfield to remove a hard-hitting Pollard. Hussey was teetering on the boundary rope and had to throw the ball in the air and take it on the second attempt to complete the dismissal. "Pollard is probably their match winner and I was just lucky enough that he chipped it to me and lucky enough to hold the catch. We practice that the day before the game all the time and I was just lucky enough it stuck," he said.
Marcus Wilson, Sportal
