Honours even at the end of the first day
New South Wales enjoyed the upper hand for the best part of the first day of their Pura Cup match against Victoria at the Junction Oval in Melbourne, but a late double-strike from Alan Wise helped level things out
Wisden Cricinfo staff
23-Nov-2004
Victoria 235 (Moss 114, MacGill 4-103) lead New South Wales 2 for 42 by 193 runs
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New South Wales enjoyed the upper hand for the best part of the first day of their Pura Cup match against Victoria at the Junction Oval in Melbourne, but a late double-strike from Allan Wise helped level things out. New South Wales ended the day on 2 for 42 in response to Victoria's 235. The stars of the day were Jonathan Moss, the Sydney-born Victorian batsman who cracked a century, and Stuart MacGill, who picked up four wickets.
But earlier in the day, New South Wales had threatened to run away with it - until Moss rescued Victoria. His 114 included 13 fours and four sixes, and formed the backbone of the innings. At one point, however, it looked as though he might be denied the century. He was still on 98 when Wise, the last man, came out to bat. In the end Wise hung on, but not before giving Moss a scare. "You always get anxious, I suppose, when No. 11 comes in and you're on 98, although that hasn't happened to me too much," Moss told the Australian Associated Press. "I was just frustrated at losing another wicket when it's always important for us to put partnerships together."
Moss added that Victoria's plans of piling on the runs, after winning the toss and batting, had been thwarted. "There's no doubt about that, we were looking for a score of around 400," he said. "So [we're] disappointed with getting 235, but we've got them two down now and we're a chance to get right into the game."
Matthew Elliott scored a solid 58 at the top of the order but, apart from that, the Victorian batsmen had nothing to show for their efforts, and sound partnerships were few and far between.
MacGill got stuck in, picking up 4 for 103 from 26.3 overs, which added to his joy at receiving the Man of the Match award in the recent tour match against the New Zealanders. Jason Krezja, the part-time offspinner, picked up 2 for 11.
New South Wales then lost two quick wickets in scoring 42 runs. The batsmen dismissed were Greg Mail, caught behind by Peter Roach, and Phil Jaques: both fell to Wise. Simon Katich and the nightwatchman Nathan Bracken were still there when stumps were drawn.