WA pounces on struggling SA to climb to equal top of table
ADELAIDE, Feb 1 AAP - Western Australia pounced on an inexperienced and confidence-sapped South Australian cricket side to canter to an eight wicket victory and leap to equal top on the ING Cup table at Adelaide Oval today.
Sam Lienert
01-Feb-2003
ADELAIDE, Feb 1 AAP - Western Australia pounced on an inexperienced and confidence-sapped South Australian cricket side to canter to an eight wicket victory and leap to equal top on the ING Cup table at Adelaide Oval today.
In reply to SA's sub-standard 170 all out, the Warriors scored 2-171 in just 37.5 overs, grabbing a bonus point to move to 22 points on the ladder.
They are equal with leader Queensland and have an extra game in hand.
Skipper Justin Langer said the Warriors had set out to take maximum advantage of a Redbacks' outfit which scored just 83 and 51 in its previous two games.
"South Australia are going through a tough time at the moment," Langer said.
"I felt with the side that we've got, I told the guys last night that it was important that we first win the game and then a bonus point would be excellent.
"The game really couldn't have gone more perfectly to plan."
Pace quartet Jo Angel, Paul Wilson, Callum Thorp and Brad Williams set up the game for WA, with Angel most impressive, earning man of the match honours with a tight, aggressive performance to take 3-31 from 10 overs.
Swing bowler Thorp also took three wickets, including the prize scalp of SA skipper Greg Blewett (32) to start the Redbacks' slide.
A rare moment of joy was provided for SA by wicketkeeper Graham Manou, who belted a quickfire 44 from 37 balls, including a six off Kade Harvey's bowling which struck the ING sign at long-off.
The hit earned Manou and his teammates $50,000 and something to take from what has mostly been a woeful season.
WA's opening pair of Ryan Campbell and Chris Rogers ensured that even the bonus point would be a formality with a brisk first-wicket stand of 106 from 116 balls.
Campbell scored 48 from 43 balls, with eight boundaries and a six in a typically entertaining innings, while Rogers played a steady hand for an unbeaten 65 from 114 balls.
Blewett said he did not know how his team could halt its slide.
"The confidence is shot at the moment," Blewett said.
"It was a good wicket today and to get 170 was really not good enough and we didn't have anything to bowl to.
"All of a sudden guys go two or three games without making any runs and things start to build up ... but we've just got to try to stick together and try to turn it around."
Langer said a lack of experience seemed to be hurting SA badly.
"Experience is probably the most important asset you can have in a team ... if you look at the South Australian side they lack a lot of experience," he said.