Bushies v. Blues - ING Cup

[Donny]

Ignore narky Vics: Rixon
By Jon Pierik - Fox Sports
December 4, 2003

COACH Steve Rixon has told his NSW Blues to ignore any of the "cheap talk" Victoria may try to use to unsettle the defending champions in Sunday's ING Cup encounter.

The top-of-the-table Blues travel to the MCG ready for whatever the Bushrangers will serve up while preparing to unleash pace ace Brett Lee for the first time this season.

There is always that extra feeling when traditional rivals NSW and Victoria clash and recent comments by Bushrangers coach David Hookes have stoked the flames.

"Our best form of attack is just to ignore them," Rixon said yesterday.

"They are chasing us. We are not chasing them.

"If they want to get cheap with it all, that's their business. I've known David for a lot of years and I know how to deal with it."

Hookes publicly questioned the selection of NSW quick Nathan Bracken before October's second Test against Zimbabwe.

The former Test batsman also left many Blues officials and Test captain Steve Waugh bewildered when he claimed NSW players were getting an easy run into international cricket.

"When they give out the baggy blue cap in NSW, they give you a baggy green in a brown paper bag as well to save making two presentations," Hookes said at the time.

While the Blues will be without Test men Waugh, Simon Katich, Stuart MacGill and Bracken on Sunday, they will be aided by the return of Michael Bevan and Lee.

Victoria have lost captain Darren Berry for six to eight weeks after surgery on his injured finger.

The veteran wicketkeeper first broke the middle finger on his right hand before the start of this year's domestic season.

Berry then aggravated the injury last month in the Pura Cup game against Western Australia. Peter Roach will take over the gloves on Sunday.

Lee has not played since tearing an abdominal muscle in the second Test against Zimbabwe and also used his time off to have ankle surgery.

NSW M Waugh (c), M Bevan, S Clark, M Clarke, B Haddin, S Bradstreet, P Jaques, B Lee, M Nicholson, A O'Brien, D Thornely, L Zammit.

VICTORIA C White (c), M Elliott, I Harvey, B Hodge, D Hussey, M Inness, B Joseland, M Lewis, J Moss, P Roach, G Rummans, A Wise.

[Donny]

Well, I think 'Stumper' Rixon has been baited and he took the hook, line and sinker.

That a coach comes out publicly and tells his players to ignore the sledging, gives the Vics first round points without a single on field comment uttered.

[HAL]

Makes sense to me.

[Donny]

The Bushrangers made 7/235.

Rummans' 53 was a good knock, on his return to the Vics lineup and Hodge (47), White (37) and Elliott (30) all contributed.

235 looks low but we must bear in mind Steve Waugh and Simon Katich are at the Gabba.

[Donny]

But they do have a couple of reasonable fill-ins. Bevan and Clarke. Lol.

NSW are 2/93 after 24. Wise has the 2 wickets.

Bevan and Clarke are the not outs.

[Donny]

It's a tie !!

Bevan, Haddin, Bradstreet and Nicholson all went out during the last 7 ball.

On 228, Bevan (72) was bowled by Harvey with the last ball of the 49th. over.

Inness conceded a 2 and then claimed Haddin (22). Next ball he bowled Bradstreet. Nicholson took 5 from the next two balls to equal the scores.

He and Lee tried to scramble a single from the lasr ball but White ran Nicho out.

[piedys]

Probably a fitting result really. Not that we saw any of it with ch.9 broadcasting that other rubbish from the Gabba all day.

Dyso

[couragous cloke]

Amazing stuff! cant believe 4 wickets in 7 balls! good to see The vics are slowly improving!