Quiney blitz sets up bonus point for Victoria

Victoria 3 for 227 (Quiney 73, Hussey 50*) beat Queensland 9 for 222 (Reardon 54, Perren 52) by seven wickets
Scorecard

Rob Quiney continued his outstanding week with a dynamic 73 that set Victoria on the course to pick up a bonus point in their seven-wicket win over Queensland. A fiery bowling display from Shane Harwood had helped restrict the Bulls to 222, which was simply not enough on a flat pitch, and David Hussey slammed a six from the final ball to get Victoria home with 68 deliveries to spare.

It ensured the Bushrangers remained unbeaten so far in the FR Cup season and it meant a dismal week for Queensland, who lost to Victoria within three days in their Sheffield Shield clash. In that game, Quiney had posted his maiden first-class century; in the one-day encounter he raced to his half-century from 43 balls.

The Bulls helped Quiney by bowling too short and he cut and pulled with precision, although his most attractive shot was a perfectly-timed back-foot drive through cover for four. When the fast men overpitched, Quiney freely muscled them over wide midwicket.

A non-spinner from Chris Simpson inexplicably accounted for Quiney, who missed an attempted cut, but he had pushed the Bushrangers within 100 of their target with 30 overs remaining. They were so far ahead of the required run-rate that Brad Hodge (49) and Hussey could play in cruise mode and still the bonus point was comfortably reached.

There was a distinct lack of bite in the Queensland attack, which was without Ashley Noffke after he pulled out before play with back soreness. Victoria's fast bowlers looked more threatening, particularly Harwood, who removed Andrew Symonds for 9 and Greg Moller for a duck, both with fast, short and accurate bowling.

Harwood's eight overs brought 2 for 18, which was a boost for the Bushrangers following a strong opening stand from James Hopes (42) and Clinton Perren, who made 52. Some clean striking later from Nathan Reardon (54) pushed the Bulls into vaguely competitive territory but Victoria's strong batting line-up completed a productive trip north.