Bushrangers humble the Blues

The destructive force of Victoria's seam bowlers has humbled New South Wales on day three of the top of the table Pura Cup clash as they won outright and claimed top of the ladder with 26 points. It was supposed to be tight contest of one versus two with both sides enjoying close to their best line ups.

New South Wales had the relative luxury of Steve and Mark Waugh with other international representatives such as Michael Slater, youngster Michael Clarke and Simon Katich. Yet even with this strong line up, NSW could only manage a parltry 150 on the morning of day three maintaining a lead of 22 runs after Victoria's first innings total of 269.

With a performance like this Victoria look certain to be the Pura Cup favourite's as their display over the past three days has been impeccable.

Victorian captain Darren Berry said the win over New South Wales, a team with so many internationals was very satisfying but he believed the home team failed to offer any respect - a claim refuted by opposing captain Steve Waugh.

"[The win was] very very satisfying and to be perfectly honest I don't think they showed us any respect whatsoever. Steve Rixon in the pre match said Victoria hasn't been tested this year. We look forward to testing them. We will wait until after Christmas now for that test from someone else.

"I don't say that with any animosity...we have been underrated and I think we have really good depth and our bowling attack is good and our batting side with [Matthew] Elliott, [Jason] Arnberger and [Brad] Hodge and Graeme Rummans, who has been a great addition to our teamwe are just going along quietly."

"I was really disappointed leading into this match. We were looking forward to it, playing against some players who we have enormous respect for and I just thought Steve Rixon showed us no respect whatsoever," Berry said.

"We gave them plenty of respect. I always give opposition respect; if you don't you pay the consequences. We were outplayed by a good side and to say we did not show them respect is wrong," said Waugh.

"I don't know how he could say that. `Chuck' should give himself a pat on the back and say they played well. I think it's a ridiculous comment to make."

With Mark Waugh and Clarke at the crease, NSW had a chance to make a lead and give their bowlers a target to bowl at. But the middle and lower order could only add 40 runs from their overnight total.

Waugh resuming his innings on 35, added just 10 runs when Shane Harwood bowled him for 45. The 37-year-old shouldered arms and the delivery pitched outside off stump jagged back and took his bails off.

Harwood showed great strength and bowled in tandem with Matthew Inness to wrap up the final wickets of the morning. Harwood's figures of 5 for 54 were his best first-class figures and he chose an incredible time to do it.

Victorian captain Darren Berry suggested Harwood may have shocked a few of the NSW attack.

"He's got an extra yard of pace and I think he may have shocked a few blokes. The New South Wales batsmen probably had not heard of Shane Harwood before and I think he really stood up for us this morning," said Berry.

Harwood, 28, has only played three games for Victoria, took a hat trick on debut and along with Mick Lewis and Matthew Inness Victoria have strong bowling line up.

"He [Harwood] is an exciting talent and along with Mick Lewis and Matthew Inness I reckon we have equal to any bowling attack in the country," said Berry.

His next victim, Clarke, on 38, tried to pull Harwood but got no further than silly mid-on where Mick Lewis resided and took a good catch which was hit incredibly hard.

Wicketkeeper batsmen Brad Haddin repeated the same shot and fell to Harwood after Lewis took a sitter at mid-on. With only bunnies to come the innings ended within three overs. Inness snapped up Stuart MacGill for a duck when Hodge caught him at cover.

The wicket of Stuart Clark gave Harwood his five after the New South Welshman skied the ball high for Darren Berry to take a simple catch.

Needing 23 for outright victory, Victoria lost Jason Arnberger for five when he flayed the ball to the slips cordon for Mark Waugh to take the catch off the bowling of youngster Doug Bollinger. Arnberger gave the 21-year-old five wickets for the match.

Matthew Elliott (12 not out) and Graeme Rummans (six not out) took the winning runs from the sixth over to give the Victorians outright victory finishing the match on 1 for 25.