Warriors v. Redbacks at the WACA

[Donny]

The first Pura Cup match for 2003/4 just got under way.

W.A. won the toss and inserted the opposition. Andy Flower will bat at #4.

[Donny]

The decision to send The Redbacks in has reaped dividends.

After a steady start, S.A. has crashed to 4/50.

From 0/40, they lost 4/10 including 3/0. Worthington has 3/1 from 21 balls. Andy Flower's debut was a short stay at the wicket. He went for a duck and Mark Higgs (0) soon followed.

Good pressure was built up by the veterans, Paul Wilson (0/8 from 7 overs) and Jo Angel (0/6 from 6) then when Worthinton came on, BANG, 3 wickets.

[Donny]

A good fightback is in progress with Blewett, 51, and Miller, 38, taking the score from 4/50 to 4/153.

[Donny]

Blewett and Miller took their partnership to 165 before Beau Casson claimed Blewett for 85 and Manou (0), next ball.

John Davidson, an absolute star for Canada in the World Cup, smacked a quickfire 35 from 23 balls before Wilson got him.

Then it was Angel's turn to get two quickly as he removed Miller for 79 and Rofe for 3.

W.A. are 9/311, a good effort after beig sent in and recovering from 4/50.

[Donny]

S.A. made 327. Jo Angel took 3/48.

Although Murray Goodwin made a quick 89 (92 balls). The Warriors could only manage 178 with Tait taking 4/61. Rofe took 3/31 and Miller, 2/43.

With a 149 lead, The Redbacks are 4/101 at stumps. Andy Flower made 32 and Mark Higgs is 33 n.o.

Worthington and Angel both have 2/28.

[Donny]

S.A. were dismissed for 221 with Worthington taking 6/59 and Angel, 3/76.

S.A. were set a target of 371 from 152 overs. At 5/128, they were in trouble but Marcus North dug in with a good 80 to put them back in with a chance but when North and Casson both departed on 207, the game swung back towards the Redbacks.

Worthington, who has already had a big match, with 9/115, and Wates then turned the game around again with a (so far) gutsy century partnership. Worthington is 50 n.o. and Wates, 48 n.o.

The Warriors now need 63 runs from 46 overs so a lot depends on this fighting stand.

[Donny]

Paul Rofe put paid to the Warriors hopes by claiming Worthington and Wates with consecutive deliveries and Jo Angel for a duck, shortly after.

Rofe took 8/120 for the match. S.A won outright.

[Donny]

Rofe nudges selectors
October 23, 2003

PACEMAN Paul Rofe reminded the national selectors of his ability when he led South Australia to a 56-run win over Western Australia at the WACA Ground in Perth yesterday.

Amid the the spate of injuries in Australia's fast-bowling ranks, the 22-year-old could not have chosen a better time to take 5-89.

Rofe, who has been compared to Glenn McGrath because of his steep bounce and accuracy, picked up four of the five wickets to fall to prevent a WA recovery.

After the hosts resumed at 5-144 chasing 371 to win, Rofe captured the valuable wickets of Marcus North (80), Peter Worthington (50) and Darren Wates (4 before the run chase ended at 314 midway through the final day.

Wates' dismissal was particularly important, as the Warriors had charged to the threatening position of 7-307.

Rofe, who took 28 wickets at 29.29 in nine Pura Cup outings last summer, finished with match figures of 8-120.

But the East Torrens prospect was wary of talk of being elevated to the national team.

"That was an epiphany I had early in the year," he said. "That is, it is really important that you just focus at the level that you are at."

New South Australia coach Wayne Phillips said Rofe had given notice to the national selectors.

"He continues to put his name in front of the national selection panel, and that is all I can ask of any of my players," Phillips said.

Western Australia coach Wayne Clark praised all members of the young South Australian pace attack.

"I was quite impressed with all of them. I thought (Shaun) Tait bowled with good pace, Rofe with good accuracy and they built pressure," Clark said.

"Then when (Mark) Cleary came on you thought you might get a little bit of relief, but he bowled one side of the wicket."

[Donny]

Interesting that Rofe gets such a write up and Worthington is not even mentioned.

Rofe took 8/120. Worthington took 9/115 and hit 50.

Worthington took 7 top six wickets and Rofe took 4.

Worthington is 24.