Cockley leads strong Blues fightback

New South Wales 261 and 1 for 138 (Hughes 81*, Forrest 54*) trail Victoria 440 (Rogers 159, Hodge 66, Hussey 63, McDonald 53, Cockley 5-84) by 41 runs
Scorecard

Burt Cockley became the latest baby Blue to burst onto the first-class scene with a five-wicket haul that thrust New South Wales back into a game that Victoria had dominated for two days. The Bushrangers took first-innings points and were well placed to push for a win but a strong batting display from Phillip Hughes and Peter Forrest made a draw the more likely outcome at the SCG.

Hughes and Forrest, who have already proven to be two of the rising stars in the New South Wales line-up, combined for a 137-run partnership that rescued the Blues after they lost Greg Mail in the second over. At stumps the score was 1 for 138 with Forrest on 54 and Hughes, looking for his second century in consecutive games, on 81.

New South Wales still trailed by 41 runs but it was a good result after the day had started with Victoria already 70 runs in front on 3 for 331. The turnaround was initiated by Cockley, 22, who was in his third first-class game but was the strike bowler with Nathan Bracken and Mark Cameron both out injured.

Victoria had smashed Cockley for 51 from his five one-day overs on Sunday and they also treated him harshly in his opening spell in this match. But he fought back impressively and after removing the nightwatchman Darren Pattinson early for 2, he added the important wicket of David Hussey, who edged behind for 63. Cockley also picked up the in-from Rob Quiney, who was caught at second slip for 4, and Matthew Wade edged behind also for 4.

A 69-run ninth-wicket stand between Andrew McDonald and Jon Holland helped Victoria push to 440 and Cockley was unfortunate not to have broken the partnership earlier when Holland was put down at first slip by Peter Forrest. He finished the innings with McDonald caught behind for 53 to give him his first five-wicket haul at first-class level.