Kasprowicz bowls Queensland to victory

Queensland 169 and 405 (Perren 90, Bichel 84, Maher 66, Simpson 52, Wise 5-92) beat Victoria 194 and 155 (Mash 52*, Kasprowicz 8-44) by 225 runs
Scorecard

Michael Kasprowicz claimed a superb 8 for 44, his career-best figures, as Queensland hammered Victoria by 225 runs in the Pura Cup clash at Brisbane. Chasing an unlikely 381 for victory, Victoria were bowled out for 155 midway through the morning session on the final day.

Only Lloyd Mash provided some resistance with a doughty 84 as Victoria managed to add just 60 to their overnight total. Kasprowicz snapped up four of the five wickets to fall this morning and his burst helped Queensland move into third place in the table behind New South Wales and Victoria.

Andy Bichel, who was named Man of the Match for his allround effort, finished with eight wickets in the game apart from cracking a crucial 84 on the third day. The Queensland batting had collapsed for a mere 169 on the first day, but they made amends by rattling up 405 in their second innings and were always in control of the game from then.

Jimmy Maher, Queensland's captain, was full of praise for his quick bowlers. "They're just phenomenal. I just hope they're not written off in terms of international honours because what's age when you keep bowling like that. I'd pick Kasprowicz and Bichel every day of the week. They're arguably two of the best bowlers in the country, if not the world. Let's face it, at the moment they'd be playing for every other international team in the world. They do it every year, in all conditions, not just here. That's why they played Test cricket."

Kasprowicz equalled Craig McDermott's best figures at the Gabba, but fell short of former Queensland player Peter Allan's record haul of 10 for 61 set against Victoria at the MCG in 1965-66.

Kasprowicz admitted the likelihood of a quick return to the Test squad was not great at the moment. "I suppose when the Australian cricket team wins so regularly it is hard to get in," he said. "But when opportunities do come up you like to think that you are performing and if the timing's right then hopefully you can put your foot forward."