Rain A Dampener For Vics
The Age
Thursday February 7, 2008
RAIN, rather than Queensland, was looming as Victoria's biggest threat last night as the Bushrangers fought to guarantee a place in the Ford Ranger Cup final.
Chasing only 215 at the MCG after bowling the Bulls out in the 49th over, Victoria's pursuit was interrupted in the 10th over, with the forecast for further possible showers throughout the innings.The 19-minute stoppage reduced the match to 47 overs, with the revised target for the Bushrangers only dropping to 209.A win for Victoria would see it move five points clear in second spot on the Ford Ranger Cup table with a match still to play and guarantee it a place in the final against Tasmania.Brad Hodge (30) and skipper Cameron White (4) were in charge of the Victorian innings after the home side lost Aiden Blizzard in the opening over, then Robert Quiney (20), who looked in great touch, just as the rain started to fall, then David Hussey (5). At the 18th over, the Bushrangers were 3-60. Queensland at the same point was 3-86.Victoria's innings didn't start brightly, with Blizzard trapped lbw by a delivery from Scott Brant that appeared to catch an inside edge before striking his pad.Quiney had been striking the ball extremely well, and didn't appear to need to advance down the pitch to Brant. His adventure cost him his wicket, the ball angled in and catching an edge that flew sharply to Chris Hartley behind the stumps. After his Australian debut last Friday, in which he didn't get the chance to bat, Hussey was keen to get among the runs. But his enthusiasm could not be matched with a controlled stroke and he sliced Michael Kasprowicz straight to Clinton Perren at gully, who took the chance on the second grab. All Victoria's bowlers contributed well, Clinton McKay leading the way with 3-42.
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