Rain ruined the first day, with Victoria in complete control thanks Jayde Herrick's opening spell of 3-25. Even with players out, NSW can still field a strong combination, although with so many defections to other states thrown in, even the renowned depth of resources of the Blues will be tested this season. Nick Maddison disappointed hitting two fours and then was out on his third delivery. Much will depend on former skipper Simon Katich when play resumes.
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Qld v Tasmania
After winning the toss and watching Ryan Broad and Wade Townsend add 150 for the first wicket, the Bananabenders let it all slip badly away, losing ten wickets for 137 as other players failed to capitalise on starts. Ben Hilfenhaus got both of the openers and then helped Luke Butterworth clean out the middle order, both in their third spells. Mark Cosgrove made one of his rare appearances at the bowling crease to dismiss Peter Forest at a time when George Bailey was desperate for a wicket. For Forest, it was yet another start without a finish.
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| Marcus North scored 119 |
At 2-238 after winning the toss and batting, WA skipper Marcus North must have thought this captaincy lurk was an easy one. 182 runs into a third wicket stand with opener Liam Davis and a hundred in the bag, the ex Australian middle order player must have been shocked eight overs later when both of them sat in the pavilion and with Adam Voges, Michael Johnson and Nathan Couter-Nile as additional company. It was Peter George and Gary Putland who caused the 5-28 crash. Davis and Voges fell in successive deliveries to George before the new ball had been taken. Four of the Sandgropers were lbw to honest, straight bowling.
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I'm not convinced by NSW's depth at all; looking at that squad if that's what they've got to play with I think they're in trouble this season. NSW will be thanking CA for delisting Katich.
ReplyDeleteSquads like WA and Qld look to have more settled personnel with fewer players likely to be called up to national duty. SA may have felt the loss of Lyon with Bailey going wicket-less and if Ferguson gets going he may find his way into the Aus set-up again too. Hopefully George goes under the radar or we're stuffed!
Tas look the goods again with solid bowlers and batsmen and I expect them to challenge again for the shield, probably taking it. I'm not sure Vic's bowling is penetrative enough (ignoring first innings vs NSW under cloudy skies) to trouble consistently but their batting will benefit from CA's ignoring them.