Victoria keep hopes alive

Victoria 8 for 252 (Elliott 72, Moss 54, Hodge 52; Worthington 3-45) beat Western Australia 8 for 251 (Goodwin 64, North 54; Knowles 2-42) by two wickets, with 10 overs to spare
Scorecard

Victoria beat Western Australia by two wickets, and gained the bonus point that gave them an outside chance of making the ING Cup final against the same opponents later this month. They needed two runs off the last ball of the 40th over to clinch a bonus point, and Darren Berry, the captain, duly managed that thanks to a misfield in the deep from Paul Wilson.

Western Australia started disastrously, slumping to 4 for 47, but Michael Hussey (28), Murray Goodwin (64) and Marcus North (54) came back strongly to take them to a competitive total of 8 for 251. Victoria, though, were always ahead of the asking rate, with Matthew Elliott (72) and Jonathan Moss (54) adding 141 for the first wicket at close to seven an over.

Brad Hodge, who made 52, ensured that the momentum wouldn't be lost, and though Victoria lost four wickets for seven in a shaky spell at the end, Berry saw the past the target. Victoria's bowlers had set up the victory earlier, with Brad Knowles, a pace bowler making his debut, especially impressive (2-42). Shane Warne finished with 1-43.

Western Australia were already assured of a place in the final, with 29 points. The bonus point they gained put Victoria on par with Queensland (28), and they must now hope for a convincing South Australia victory against Queensland at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday.