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MacGill bounces back to restrict Victoria

Five wickets from Stuart MacGill, including an inspired burst of 3 for 2, and a screaming catch to dismiss Matthew Elliott from Dominic Thornely, kept New South Wales' season alive in the crucial Pura Cup match at Newcastle today

Will Swanton
10-Jan-2004
Close New South Wales 317 and 2 for 23 lead Victoria 259 (Hussey 51, MacGill 5-94) by 81 runs
Scorecard


Stuart MacGill: earned some respite from his critics
© Getty Images
Five wickets from Stuart MacGill, including an inspired burst of 3 for 2, and a screaming catch to dismiss Matthew Elliott from Dominic Thornely, kept New South Wales' season alive in the crucial Pura Cup match at Newcastle today.
The star-studded NSW team - described as under-achievers by coach Steve Rixon before the game - dismissed Victoria for 259 to take first-innings points. At stumps, though, NSW were in danger of handing back the ascendancy as they faltered to 2 for 23 in the second innings, a precarious overall lead of only 81 runs.
Languishing in second-last place of the table, NSW, who made a moderate first innings of 317 yesterday, face an almost impossible task of reaching the final if they leave Newcastle with nothing from the match. The two points they earned today kept them in the hunt with 11. An outright victory would put them right back in the reckoning.
MacGill's haul of 5 for 94 from 31.1 overs - as Allan Border, an Australian selector, watched from the main grandstand - was crucial, but Thornely's acrobatic effort in the field could not be underestimated. He stalled Victoria's momentum right when they were threatening to bolt.
Elliott, the former Test opener, peeled off a string of boundaries in the opening session, but just when he seemed on the verge of dominating the NSW attack, a full-blooded cut rifled off the middle of his bat off Grant Lambert and flew towards Thornely at point. He hurled himself full-length to his right and the ball stuck. Elliott's departure left Victoria on 1 for 59 and they batted in fits and starts thereafter.
Criticised for his series return against India of 14 wickets at 50.79, and with the return of Shane Warne hanging over his head, MacGill's first victim was Brad Hodge, caught behind for 21 just before lunch.
Jason Arnberger departed for a painstaking 27 and Jon Moss, who moved to Victoria after he couldn't get a start for NSW, made 21 as they chipped away at the total. Lambert made another big breakthrough by trapping David Hussey in front for 51 to leave Victoria at 5 for 202 and relying on the tailenders.
MacGill pounced, having Andrew McDonald stumped for 5 before NSW took the second new ball at 6 for 248. MacGill then claimed the vital wicket of Cameron White, lbw for 43, and followed that with the scalps of Shane Harwood and Mick Lewis.
Rixon could breathe a sigh of relief. Last year's Pura Cup finalists, NSW and Queensland, qualified with 42 and 36 points. NSW have four games to play after this, with a maximum of six points up for grabs on each occasion.