A remarkable seven-wicket haul by Alister McDermott could not stop Western Australia grabbing a dramatic one-wicket Sheffield Shield win over Queensland at the Gabba.
Chasing just 68 to win, the Warriors were reduced to 9 for 64 after McDermott's incredible haul of 7 for 24 was followed by two wickets from Ben Cutting (2 for 29).
Tail-ender Michael Hogan survived Cutting's hat-trick ball then rattled off the remaining four runs required for victory off the next two balls to break Queensland hearts.
Already boasting an action similar to his former Test-playing father Craig, McDermott provided a fiery spell not unlike his dad on a deteriorating pitch to ensure WA heart palpitations.
McDermott took the first seven wickets to fall ensuring a comfortable run chase became a white-knuckle ride for the visitors.
In just his fifth first class game, McDermott's previous best figures were 3 for 66.
Amazingly, McDermott's figures could have been better - Ryan Broad hung his head after dropping Nathan Coulter-Nile in the slips with the visitors at 7 for 63.
But Cutting ensured Queensland was not finished with yet.
He had Coulter-Nile caught behind before bowling Michael Beer next ball and suddenly WA was 9 for 64.
However, Hogan showed nerves of steel to seal an outright victory for second placed WA that whittled Queensland's ladder lead to just four points with three rounds remaining.
Earlier on Thursday, Queensland set a paltry victory total after at one stage losing 4 for 11 to be bundled out for 175 in its second dig.
Ex-Test spinner Beer (3 for 19) was the main destroyer.
He sparked the collapse by dismissing Chris Hartley (21) and Cameron Boyce (0) in three balls to reduce the hosts to 8 for 164.
Hartley was hardly impressed when given out caught at bat-pad, standing his ground before trudging off as WA celebrated.
Beer completed the rout when he trapped Luke Feldman in front as Queensland overall lost 6 for 49 on Thursday.
Top scorer for Queensland was Joe Burns (43) but Michael Neser received the loudest applause.
The all-rounder defied an ankle sprain to bat on Thursday - a job made harder with runners not unavailable.
He hobbled to 9 before being bowled by ex-Bulls quick Nathan Rimmington (3 for 28).
AAP
Tags: cricket, sport, qld, wa First posted February 09, 2012 16:14:55
No comments:
Post a Comment