Wade steers Victoria to crucial win
Matthew Wade and Andrew McDonald sealed a five-wicket win that took Victoria to second on the one-day table
Cricinfo staff
10-Feb-2010
Victoria 5 for 216 (Wade 50) beat New South Wales 224 (Jaques 60, McGain 3-37, Nannes 3-40) by 5 wickets on D/L
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
Matthew Wade and Andrew McDonald sealed a five-wicket win that took Victoria to second on the one-day table. On a difficult day for batting, the Bushrangers used their local knowledge to reach their rain-reduced target of 213 with 10 balls remaining.
Wade top scored with 50 off 68 balls, leaving with two runs to get, while McDonald was unbeaten on 42 as they recovered from Nathan Bracken's double-strike that left them at 4 for 110. Both sides have a game remaining in the group stages but Victoria are now in a strong position to make the final as they hope to add the FR Cup to their Twenty20 win.
The Bushrangers' initial target of 225 was cut after a rain break and when the players returned David Hussey motored ahead. Hussey took charge with 45 off 40 balls, but Bracken enticed him to hit to deep cover and the next ball Aaron Finch went for 44 to a poor pull shot. New South Wales were unable to follow up with more pressure, but it was really their batting that let them down.
Phil Jaques overcame an early hit to the helmet to produce the most fluent innings for the Blues and when he left for 60 off 65 the rest struggled to match his tempo. Jaques had extra responsibilities as Phillip Hughes was unable to score at a run every two balls throughout his 44, but the Blues lost 4 for 34 after Jaques was caught at long-on.
The wicket was the first for the impressive Bryce McGain, who worked well in tandem with Brad Hodge as the pitch slowed when the ball softened. McGain had 3 for 37 off 10 overs, picking up the No.3 Steven Smith and Hughes, who was brilliantly taken by a diving Hussey at mid-on. Hodge returned 1 for 31 off nine with his gentle offspin, including the important bowled of Simon Katich on 2.
Moises Henriques and David Warner both went skying attempted big shots and Dominic Thornely's 32 was the third-best contribution. Dirk Nannes, who had rattled Jaques' helmet, also made life difficult for the tail as he collected 3 for 40.