Bushrangers v. Bulls - Pura Cup.

[zoia]

"Who thinks we can beat the Bulls at the Gabba? To tell ya the truth i think we have no hope in hell

[Donny]

Broken finger last straw for Berry
By Michael Horan

VICTORIAN captain Darren Berry has broken a finger and is out of the Bushrangers' Queensland mission that starts with the day-night ING Cup clash at the 'Gabba tomorrow.

The euphoria of seeing the birth of his and wife Kath's first child on Saturday, daughter Jordan Olivia, became professional despair on Tuesday when Berry broke the middle finger of his left hand while wicketkeeping in a trial game against South Australia at the Albert Ground.

Set to lead Victoria as its captain-elect for the first time when the four-day clash against the Bulls starts on Sunday, Berry fractured the finger while diving down the leg side in the 49th over of the South Australian innings.

"I'm shattered. I just can't believe it," Berry said yesterday. "In all my career we've never won outright in Brisbane and for the past week I've just had this feeling we are going to do really well."

Understudy Peter Roach will replace Berry.

Initially Berry was keen to play with painkillers, but a surgeon advised him yesterday the risk of displacing the joint and causing greater injury was too great.

He hopes to lead the Vics in the return Pura Cup game against the Bulls starting at the Junction Oval on Tuesday week.

The one piece of good news is the return of feisty fast bowler Mick Lewis, who has recovered from a hamstring injury.

ING Cup squad: Cameron White (c), Matthew Elliott, Shane Harwood, Brad Hodge, David Hussey, Mathew Inness, Brendan Joseland, Michael Lewis, Andrew McDonald, Jonathan Moss, Allan Wise, Peter Roach.

Pura Cup squad: Jason Arnberger, Matthew Elliott, Shane Harwood, Brad Hodge, David Hussey, Mathew Inness, Michael Lewis, Andrew McDonald, Jonathan Moss, Cameron White, Allan Wise, Peter Roach (captain to be named on match morning).

[Donny]

One door closes, another opens.

That's terrible luck for Chuck but gives Peter Roach another chance at the big time.

Being a reserve wicketkeeper can be one of the most frustrating jobs in sport - just ask Tim Zoehrer - and Roach has played second fiddle to Berry for 8 years. He has played 12 sheffield Shield/Pura Cup games for Victoria over that time and 4 one dayers.

He scored an excellent fighting century (108 n.o.) last season when The Bushies upset N.S.W. and has 40 scalps from his 12 games.

The Vics have a great chance to turn the tables on their northern tormentors in this match. It's almost a tradition that The Bulls beat The Bushies at the Gabba.

With Hayden, Maher, Kasper and Bichel in India and Noffke out injured, this looks the best chance for a Vics win in many years.

They have a strong batting lineup - Elliott, Arnberger, Hodge, Moss, David Hussey, White and Roach - and a good attack for the Gabba - Harwood, Inness, Wise, Moss and White.

Go the Bushies !!

[piedys]

Donny,
Is ex-Bull Matthew Mott still in Melbourne, or did he go back to QLD?

[Donny]

Yeah, mate. I noticed his name was missing from the Vic. squads.

I'll find out.

[Donny]

Motty is still in Victoria and is a contracted player.

He may be injured or just didn't make the first Pura Cup squad.

[Donny]

Victoria won the toss and sent Queensland in to bat.

Shane Harwood drew first blood with Clinton Perren's wicket in the 5th. over.

Daniel Payne and Love added 46 but both went, in cosecutive overs. Andy McDonald claimed Payne for 35 and Allan Wise got his first wicket in his first class debut when he dismissed Martin Love for 11.

3/55 in the 18th.

[Donny]

At lunch, The Bulls are 3/100 from 32 overs. Law is 34 n.o.

Wise is the best of the bowlers with 1/15 from 9 overs.

[Donny]

The Law/Farrell partnership realised 78 runs before Inness claimed Law, for 47.

Shortly after, Cam White trapped Farrell for 34. 5/144.

[Donny]

Two young men having a good day at the Gabba are Cameron White, in his first game as skipper for The Bushrangers in Pura Cup, and Allan Wise on debut at first class level.

White won the toss and sent The Bulls in to bat which has proven to be a good decision. He has taken 2/8 from 5 overs. Wise has 2/20 from 12.

The Bulls are 7/158 after 50 overs.

[Donny]

Cam White is having a blinder. He has 4/20 from 15 overs as The Bulls slump to 9/241.

Simpson is batting well on 59 n.o.

[Donny]

Chris Simpson made sure the Bushies didn't have it all their own way with a wonderful innings.

In only his second first class game, 21 y.o. Simpson slammed 83 from 96 balls with 5 sixes !! He and Joe Dawes put on 65 at run-a-ball for the last wicket before Simpson was run out.

Bulls all out for 277.

[Donny]

At stumps, Victoria was 1/31 with Arnberger 23 n.o. Elliott was out for 6.

[Sultan of spin]

Mott didn't make the team to play against the Bulls, I think he recently played for Victoria A in a practice match though. The are looking good, the current score is 2/106 with Arnberger on 41 and Hodge on 27. Night watchman Harwood is the only wicket to fall today.

[Donny]

Arnie went on to 89 and Hodge, 40. They added 56 together.

Then David Hussey (106), younger brother of W.A.'s Mike, scored an excellent century in his 4th. game for the Bushrangers in the Pura Cup.

At stumps, they are 6/351 with Moss on 33 and White, 25. Their partnership is 47, so far. They have a 74 run lead and are in a good position to force the outright.