Hayden and Perren star in Queensland win

Queensland 7 for 277 (Perren 96, Hayden 83) beat New South Wales 6 for 275 (Jaques 152*, Katich 51) by 3 wickets
Scorecard

Matthew Hayden smashed a 69-ball 83 while Clinton Perren made a controlled 96 as Queensland pulled off a superb win against New South Wales at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Needing 276 to win, Queensland coasted home with 16 balls to spare.

The result meant that a superb unbeaten 152 by Phil Jaques, the New South Wales opener, came to nothing. Jaques hit 13 fours and two sixes en route to registering his highest score in one-day matches. Simon Katich, the captain, reached 51 as the two added 89 for the first wicket, but apart from 36 from Aaron O'Brien none of the other batsmen made significant contributions.

The target was a stiff one, especially given the Blues' attack included Glenn McGrath, Brett Lee, Nathan Bracken and Stuart MacGill, but Hayden set the tone with a brutal assault on all bowlers, especially McGrath, whom he thrashed for 17 runs from nine balls, including two fours and a six. After Hayden was dismissed, Perren was around to guide them with a well-paced display.

Lee was easily the best bowler for New South Wales, taking 3 for 30, but McGrath struggled, going for 66 off his ten overs. When Perren was dismissed, Queensland needed only 33 for victory, and though they lost four quick wickets, the win was achieved with plenty to spare.