Nash, Lee pilot Blues to much-needed win

The New South Wales Blues have defeated the Western Warriors in convincing fashion, securing for themselves a much-needed win and four crucial points, in the Mercantile Mutual Cup match at the North Sydney Oval today.

It was very much a case of going from the ridiculous to the sublime for the Blues today. At the outset, the writing appeared to be on the wall. Michael Slater (0) was dismissed courtesy of a questionable caught behind decision within one minute of arriving at the crease. Then Brad Haddin (13) was surprised by a blistering delivery from Darren Wates (1/34 from five overs) and made his exit in the third over.

But, from there, the Blues went on to score 8/302 and to completely overwhelm the top-ranked Warriors.

The total was surprisingly big and no-one was more surprised than captain Shane Lee, especially when it came to tail-ender Don Nash's (61*) incredible turn with the bat. Nash posted the second fastest fifty in the history of Australian domestic one-day cricket when he used just twenty-four balls to score a half ton, smashing three fours and five sixes in the process.

"With about ten overs to go I would have been happy with 260, and I said that to the team. Then Nash played unbelievably. He's always been able to hit the ball cleanly and some of the shots he was making out there, he's obviously a really good striker and it was his day. I've never seen an innings like that before. But I hope to see a few more, especially as captain," Lee said.

In fact, Lee's only disappointment for the day was in not doing away with the visitors in time to score the bonus point as well. Ultimately, the Western Australians averted that prospect when they scrambled up to a final total of 242.

"It would have been nice to get rid of them for under 240 and get that bonus point. It may make a difference towards the end of the season, but overall I'm very happy. The boys played very well and the bowlers stuck to their job very well," he added.

Lee played a pivotal role in the victory, scoring 115 off 140 deliveries, but most importantly keeping his head when all around were losing theirs. Hanging onto a partner became a problem for him around the twenty over mark, before he was finally able to build a ninety-six run partnership with Graeme Rummans (29). Lee's steady, but prolific, rate of scoring boosted the Blues and while they suffered a minor late blip, losing four wickets - those of Rummans, Lee, Scott Thompson (7) and Shawn Bradstreet (1) - in the space of four overs, Nash strode in and delivered an amazing finishing touch.

Nash was typically low-key when discussing his attention-grabbing first one-day appearance of the year.

"Shane just said to get a quick thirty so I set out to do that and it paid off. I'm definitely a tailender, I love batting," Nash said.

"It's just a confidence thing. I've scored a couple of thirties (already this season) and so that really gave me the confidence."

The value of such a decisive win is in the confidence boost it gives the players, and Lee said this victory would help enormously in the vital match against Tasmania at the SCG in a fortnight's time.

"I think everyone contributed well. Brad Haddin had probably his best performance ever behind the stumps, so it's unlikely that any changes will be made for the next game," Lee said.

"Tasmania won't be easy, but everyone really lifted and I hope they can do it again."

For their part, all the Western Warriors could do was play defensively. They set out to chase an almost-impossible target with determination, but found their rivals too dominant. Captain Tom Moody's departure at the end of this season to take on the position of cricket director at Worcester has given added impetus to the Warriors' desire to secure the Cup again this summer. It is to be his last on Australian soil and also his last as a player altogether. That kind of motivation usually serves well, and Moody has done exceptionally so far, guaranteeing the Warriors a place in the Final already. But some days just aren't as good as others.

The bowling figures looked reasonable for the most part, particularly the contribution delivered by Brad Hogg (3/49 off seven overs). But it was simply the case that there was not enough support.

Simon Katich (72) shaped as the Warriors' key batsman, and seemed in dangerous touch from the first ball he faced. Together with Murray Goodwin (44), he looked like pulling off another amazing batting feat as they set out on a rapid run scoring flurry. However, the required run rate, which began at 6.04, only climbed higher and the sense of urgency induced some elementary mistakes. Katich ultimately fell to a lbw decision and, with him, went any real chance the Warriors had of turning the match around. When Goodwin succumbed only four overs later - around the loss of Moody in the meantime - the Warriors really didn't have much hope.

Hogg's 27 showcased his all-round skill but wickets fell with too much regularity toward the end for it to be fully appreciated.

Regardless of today's outcome, the Warriors still have a place in the Final. The Blues now have a better chance of meeting them there.