Match's fate sealed as Love conquers all

For sides which possess arguably the strongest two attacks in the competition, Victoria and Queensland failed to really prove the case by the end of a tame Pura Cup match here at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Instead of being afforded the sort of finish that might originally have been expected between last year's finalists, this contest was hung out to dry in wafting afternoon breezes on a cloudless Melbourne day.

In fairness, both teams went through this encounter - which ended half an hour early with Queensland 6/380 in its second innings and leading overall by 180 runs - badly depleted. Before it started, the Bulls had surrendered Andy Bichel (to Test commitments), Michael Kasprowicz, Scott Muller and Ashley Noffke (to injury). During it, the Bushrangers lost Damien Fleming (to neck soreness) before he had even been able to bowl a ball. Together with one critical missed catch from each of them, it ensured that both teams were afflicted by the curse of being unable to produce a consistent string of breakthroughs when it really mattered. In hindsight, it was hard to know what all the fuss had been about as Victoria set to the task of reducing the Bulls to 9/147 (in response to 9/384 declared) early on the third morning.

The loss of Fleming, in particular, weighed heavily on proceedings on the fourth and final day. Despite the considerable resistance that had been offered by Martin Love (126) and Jimmy Maher (98) in a resolute stand yesterday afternoon, the Victorians had entered the closing six hours of the match with an overall lead of sixty-four runs and, theoretically at least, only a further nine wickets separating them from success. As it transpired, however, they never looked like grasping the Bulls by the horns.

The sun shone but the gods never smiled quite as luxuriantly upon the Victorians. Several half-chances came their way through the early part of the day; as Love and Maher stretched their alliance to record-breaking proportions, though, none was taken. Before finally disrupting the 361-minute long partnership, the Bushrangers endured another highly frustrating period. It wasn't until seven minutes before lunch, when Maher finally dabbed at a Paul Reiffel (2/35) delivery cutting away from him, that their torture through the opening session met an end.

Even then, their reward was to watch another vigilant stand - this time of sixty-one between Love and Stuart Law (74*) - unfold before them. By the time that the number three and the captain had come together, Love and Maher had already eaten away the entirety of Victoria's lead, and then some, with their compilation of a 212 run liaison. During their effort, the experienced pair also erased from the record books the 188 run association between Max Walters and David Ogilvie (in the 1977-78 season) that had previously assumed billing as Queensland's best ever second wicket partnership on the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Love's innings, in particular, was a masterpiece of concentration and determination. It has always been hard to believe that he has not warranted more attention in the race for national honours. At twenty-six years of age, he looks every bit as classy as many more heavily promoted top order players around Australia. Anyone who has witnessed his ability to mix measured innings like the one he completed today with others of belligerent intent (such as the remarkable hand that he played to help beat Tasmania in Brisbane five weeks ago) would certainly be hard pressed to dispute the claim.

"He played really well," attested Victorian captain, Reiffel. "He was really disciplined, he left a lot of balls that he could have played. He played within himself and yet held the whole innings together for them."

Love committed one of the few errors in his innings fifteen minutes before tea when he played back to Miller and was struck in front of his middle and off stumps. By that stage, though, much of the respectably-sized crowd that had arrived at the ground this morning in anticipation of the home side's first win over Queensland in five years had beat its own retreat. Next time they come, they will doubtless be hoping that it is the blight of injury that stays away.