Victoria notches up season-first Pura Cup victory

Victoria has today won a first-class match for the second time in the space of two weeks, defeating South Australia by 108 runs at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to complement last Sunday's innings victory over West Indies.

Just as their thrashing of the lowly West Indies was executed with speed, efficiency and ease, so the manner of Victoria's defeat of South Australia was slow, labourious and, for the most part, uninspiring. Still, a win is a win, and when it's your first one of the season, you hardly care about entertaining the handful of diehards who turn up to Pura Cup matches.

The team, which at the start of the week was scraping the bottom of the domestic ladder, is now placed third, with six points to show for today's victory.

After skittling South Australia for just 96 in the first innings, Victoria bowled the Redbacks out for 286 in the second innings today. In a match marred by average umpiring, the Victorian bowlers found the going tough in the second innings. They were defied by a gritty innings from Redback opener Shane Deitz (114), who toiled hard for his seven-hour maiden first-class century. They were let down by their own fielders, with three catches going down today. They were tormented by numerous half chances despite consistently beating the Redback bats. Alas, they were even more frustrated by poor decisions.

The standard of umpiring in this match may be best summed up by the dismissal of Peter McIntyre (caught by Jason Arnberger at short leg for three), who was well on his way to the pavilion before the umpire finally decided to uphold Colin Miller's desperate appeal. Already, Arnberger had thrown the ball on the ground in disgust and confusion reigned in the field.

As is custom, both captains refused to comment on the men in white coats after the match, with Paul Reiffel suggesting: "I better not comment because I will get in trouble."

To their credit, the Victorian attack overcame these hurdles and basically concentrated on the job at hand. Once they had removed Redback captain Darren Lehmann (43) and Deitz, it was smoother sailing, with the last five wickets crumbling for just twenty-six runs.

"I was really happy with the way our guys played. Even last night, none for eighty, I couldn't believe we didn't get a wicket because we bowled really well. Our bowlers have plenty of experience and we knew that we needed to just hang in there. All you can do is bowl well and that's what we tried to do. It got a bit frustrating at times. There was no doubt that if Darren Lehmann had stayed in, they would have got the runs so it was always a matter of getting him out," said Reiffel.

Although the wickets were shared around today, with Reiffel (1/34), Damien Fleming (2/64), Mathew Inness (2/32), Miller (3/90) and Ian Harvey (2/54) all playing their parts, it was man-of-the-match Inness who most impressed.

Twenty two year-old Inness, who returned career-best figures of 6/26 for the second time in five days on Friday, was the hero, snaring the crucial wicket of Lehmann after lunch today.

"He's really growing in stature, isn't he? He's knocked over Darren Lehmann twice in the match. It's great for him and his confidence. He's getting stronger. He's still learning the game and hopefully he can just improve more and more this season," said Reiffel.

Praising Deitz's "gutsy knock", which was the slowest first-class hundred ever compiled at the MCG, Lehmann said his team was let down by dismal batting in the first innings.

"Basically that's what hurt us - not enough runs in the first innings. We batted well in the second innings, obviously happy with Shane Deitz and Greg Blewett last night - gave us a chance to win the game even midway through today thought we were a really good chance. We missed out which was disappointing but it was good to show some character in the second innings," he said.

South Australia next take on Tasmania at home, while Victoria face a showdown with reigning champions Queensland.

The match, starting in just three day's time, is a replay of last year's Pura Milk Cup final in which the Bushrangers were well and truly thrashed. Yet Reiffel says he's looking forward to it.

"Hopefully we're on a bit of a roll. Initially, I thought it might be too close (in the schedule) but after two wins, bring 'em on!" he beamed.