Heart but still no win
MELBOURNE, March 9 AAP - Victoria showed heart but lacked voice here today as it beat Western Australia by 10 wickets in the season-ending Pura Cup cricket match at the MCG.
Roger Vaughan
09-Mar-2003
MELBOURNE, March 9 AAP - Victoria showed heart but lacked voice here today as it beat Western Australia by 10 wickets in the season-ending Pura Cup cricket match at the MCG.
While the Bushrangers admirably closed out the game despite yesterday's bitter disappointment, there was no great post-match celebration.
"I think we're flatter than I thought we would be today," said Victorian coach David Hookes.
"I've never heard a victory song sung so poorly...which I think can be seen as a positive sign - the players are genuinely disappointed.
"I think they played really well today."
The reason for Victoria's subdued mood was the New South Wales win yesterday over Queensland at the SCG.
That ensured the Blues would qualify for the Cup final ahead of Victoria.
It was still a successful first season as coach for Hookes, who led the Bushrangers to 36 points, third place in the Cup and a strong record at home.
"The reality is you've got to win two games away from home," Hookes said.
WA was bowled out for 253 this afternoon after a defiant eighth-wicket stand from Luke Ronchi and Matthew Nicholson.
Victoria then made 0-45 to close out the match.
WA resumed this morning at 3-88 and only half an hour's play was possible before lunch because of rain.
The Warriors lost wickets steadily after lunch and an innings loss seemed likely, before Ronchi and Nicholson came together.
They put on 90 before leg-spinner Cameron White continued his great form in this game, having Ronchi well-caught by David Hussey at mid-wicket for an innings-high 61.
Nicholson finished the innings unbeaten on 41, while White's 4-70 gave him his first 10-wicket match haul at this level.
"It's nice to get a few wickets for a start, I haven't bowled much since Christmas," White said.
The 19-year-old will undergo surgery on his right knee next week to repair torn cartilage.
He took 6-66 in the first innings, his best Cup figures, and also made 27 in the first innings.
The only excitement in Victoria's second innings was when WA paceman Brad Williams "sconned" Matthew Mott with the third ball bowled.
Mott needed medical attention for a cut behind his ear, but kept batting and was unbeaten on 24, while Jason Arnberger made 16no.
Williams also had to face the match referee after the match, apparently on a charge of dissent.