'Our best good enough'... Holland
Sun, 17 January 2010
Victoria’s best is good enough to lift the team into another Twenty20 final, according to young spinner Jon Holland. Speaking on the eve of the showdown with Queensland at the ‘Gabba on Tuesday night, Holland said the confidence is surging again through the group after the Brad Hodge inspired nine wicket victory in to the final qualifying game against Tasmania. “If we keep on playing cricket like that he should do well,” he said. “We know our best we’re going to be hard to beat.” The 22-year-old left-arm spinner helped to turn Friday night’s game with the dismissal, lbw of Tasmania’s topscorer Tim Paine in mid innings after he’d made a whirlwind 61. “It was an important wicket for us. To get him was out was pretty good,” he said. Holland said he was thrilled to be playing a frontline role for the Victorians. “It’s a great opportunity. I’ve always wanted to do it. I didn’t think I’d be in this position at this age.” Holland has played the last two Twenty20 games and is assuming a frontline, attacking role, like WA’s Aaron Heal and Tasmania’s Xavier Doherty who both have been among the bowlers of the 2009-10 tournament. Doherty opened the bowling for Tasmania last Friday night. With 2-27 and 1-16 in his first games he has taken some keen wickets and contributed too to the vibrant fielding. He said the return of Clint McKay from the Australian team had given the Victorians an extra edge last Friday night., McKay is again available on Tuesday, as is Ross Taylor, the big-hitting New Zealander who top-scored with 58 in his only game so far with his adopted state, against Queensland in Brisbane last month.
by Ken Piesse
