Pura Cup final - Bushies v. Bulls

[MAGNESIUM- PIE]

ummmmm interesting ppls the vics declared now meaning an another hour to play today and all of tomorow. This next hour can set up the run chase. Its still a mammoth total but the way the track is playing iam not sure. Idealy early wickets in the last hour of play is critical if not say 0 for 100 means onl 455 needed tomorrow.
Congrats to the vics for turing this formality into something with another twist in the final. Just adds some spice to it.
Then again is pay back time so they just want qld feel even more demoralized by posting a total to win not just a total to get close to. Ah the carrot is dangling only to be snatched back by the vics.
P.S Go the raiders!!!!!!!! 1st win of Many of the season the pink panthers are next in the green machine cauldron of raider stadium, victor the viking

[Donny]

Vics pile misery on Qld

Fox

VICTORIA was unrelenting in its torture of Queensland's bowlers, setting the Bulls a victory target of 576 on day four of the Pura Cup cricket final at the MCG.

The Bulls' spirits sagged further today when Victoria quick Michael Lewis had key batsmen Jimmy Maher (0) and Martin Love (14) out in the last hour.

At stumps Queensland was 2-56 in its second innings with Clinton Perren 32 not out and Stuart Law 8 not out and victory out of the question - as it has been since the close of day one.

The Bulls need another 520 to win on the final day tomorrow.

Having made 710 in its first innings, Victoria opted not to enforce the follow-on after bowling Queensland out for 275.

Instead, Victoria captain Darren Berry chose to inflict more misery on Queensland by sending in openers Matthew Elliott (55 not out) and Jason Arnberger (72), who smashed the Bulls' bowlers around for two hours.

Berry declared at 1-140 and set the Bulls a victory target the size of Everest with three-and-a-half sessions to play.

With Victoria already assured of claiming its first first-class title since 1990-1991, Berry's decision to bat on raised eyebrows at the time as the lead was already 435.

But his declaration was perfectly timed, as Victoria struck immediately.

Lewis enticed Maher to edge the first ball of the innings and first slip Cameron White grabbed a miracle catch diving to his right after Berry dropped the chance diving to his left.

The Bushrangers were elated by the breakthrough and were just as thrilled when Lewis bowled Love with good pace.

Elliott and Arnberger posted their second century stand of the match and after a quiet start before tea, the latter was savage on off spin bowler Nathan Hauritz, smashing him for three sixes and a four in one over.

Arnberger was out caught and bowled Hauritz with the score on 119 before Elliott and Brad Hodge (5 not out) bumped up their enormous season aggregates.

Elliott continued his record spree in the match by breaking Graham Yallop's record of 1418 for the most runs scored for Victoria in a first-class season.

Elliott, who became the highest run-scorer in a Sheffield Shield/Pura Cup season during his first innings 155, took a single to break Yallop's first-class record, set in 1982-1983.

Elliott finishes with 1429 runs and Hodge 1282, including 34 for Australia A against India.

The highest successful run chase in Australian domestic cricket is the 506 South Australia made to beat Queensland in Adelaide in 1991-1992.

[Donny]

The last day of a great season by The Bushrangers is about to begin. The Bulls have declared they won't be rolling over and will guts it out.

Stuart Law is a proud bananabender and very stiff not to have played a lot more than his one Test. This is his last game for his state and he'll be determined to get a big score.

He has the fastest and second fastest one day centuries in Oz domestic cricket so we could see some fireworks from Stuey.

The Vics want to win this and will be really fired up. They've played to win all season and finished on 40 points - 14 clear of second placed Queensland and Tassie.

Go the Bushies. Bring it home boys !!

[Donny]

WICKET !! First ball.

Mick Lewis does it again with his first ball. He has all 3 wickets.

[Donny]

Mickey is on fire. Another wicket.

He has 4/37 as Simpson (15) top edges one through to a delighted Darren Berry.

[Donny]

50 up for Law from 71 balls.
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Harvey gets Hopes for 31. 5 down. Law is 61 n.o.

[Donny]

3 balls before lunch and Law goes on the back foot to cut one from White. It's a toppy and stays straight to bowl him.

Law out for 72 in his last match for the Bulls. Well played, Stuart Law.

[Donny]

Hey, Mick Lewis, what do you do for warm-ups ??

Whatever it is, mate, let us know please.

He's done it again !!

With his first ball after lunch, he gets the edge from Bichel and Elliott gobbles it at second slip. 7/180.
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Andy McDonald gets in on the action as he claims Noffke for 15. 8 down.
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Now Hauritz goes down swinging. 33 from 31 balls before Lewis catches him from McDonald's bowling. 9 down.

[Donny]

Al over !! Guess who took the last wicket ??

Mick Lewis. 6/59.

The Victorian Bushrangers - 710 and 1/140 def. The Queensland Bulls - 275 and 254.

Man of the Final yet to be announced.

Candidates - Matthew Elliott 155 & 55 n.o. Jason Arnberger - 90 & 72. Mick Lewis - 1/60 & 6/59. Jonathon Moss - 98 and 3/18.

[Canberra]

All over Red Rover. 6 wickets to Mick Lewis. Tuned in to 3AW to listen to the news on St Kilda and got a live report of the last wicket. Go Bushies.

[Donny]

Matthew Elliott caps a truly stellar season with the Player of the Final trophy to go with his Player of the Series award, highest batting aggregate for Sheffield Shield/Pura Cup season for Victoria, most first class runs for Victoria and equal most centuries (7) in a SS/Pura season.

Anyone else getting 7 tons and 1400 runs in a season would be knocking very loudly on Alfie's door but there's not much mention of a recall.

He's not the youngest around but will still only be 33 in September. That's a year younger than Langer and the same age as Hayden.

[piedys]

Go you good things! And yes, they did it for Hookesy.

Dyso