Blues take two points from Shield draw

Updated September 29, 2012 19:42:17

New South Wales opened up an eight-point lead at the top of the Sheffield Shield cricket ladder after taking first innings points from its draw with Tasmania at Bankstown Oval.

Set 343 to win from a potential 88 overs, the Tigers finished on 7 for 262 with 11 overs remaining when the two teams agreed to end the match.

The Tigers' chase never really moved into serious overdrive though a number of their batsmen made a start.

A 111-run fifth wicket stand between Aiden Blizzard (88) and captain Tim Paine (40) briefly raised hopes of a late charge.

However, they perished in successive overs and James Faulkner (0) also went as the Tigers lost 3 for 6.

In-form Blues all-rounder Moises Henriques was named man-of-the-match.

He followed up his unbeaten first innings 161 not out with a breezy unbeaten 50 off 51 balls and 3 for 41 in the Tigers' second innings.

For the Tigers, opener Mark Cosgrove followed up his first innings 84 with 44.

Test batsmen Ricky Ponting and Ed Cowan scored 34 and eight respectively.

Ponting struck just two boundaries in his 66-ball innings and seemed content to steadily accumulate.

His innings ended when he edged an attempted pull shot to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin off paceman Doug Bollinger (1 for 45).

Haddin, who scored a classy first innings century, was dismissed for seven in his second dig, but also executed a slick legside last day stumping of Alex Doolan (21).

Trent Copeland (2 for 51) passed 100 first-class wickets for the Blues.

Earlier, Blues captain Michael Clarke declared at 6 for 198, with Nick Maddinson (86) top scoring, as the home side added 121 from 22 overs in the morning.

Paceman Jackson Bird (3 for 46) was the Tigers' most successful bowler and finished with six scalps on his old home ground.

The Blues are the only team to have played two Shield matches this season, but they will not have one in October due to Sydney Sixers' participation in the Champions League Twenty20 tournament in South Africa.

The Tigers' next Shield engagement will be against South Australia in Adelaide starting on October 9.

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, bankstown-2200, hobart-7000

First posted September 29, 2012 19:42:17

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Blues hold lead over Tigers

Updated September 28, 2012 18:50:16

A sporting declaration from Tasmania captain Tim Paine has set up an intriguing final day in the Sheffield Shield cricket match against New South Wales at Bankstown Oval.

Paine declared at 8 for 298 at tea on Friday, handing the Blues a 144-run first innings advantage with four sessions remaining.

When bad light ended play on day three prematurely, the Blues were 3 for 77, giving the hosts an overall lead of 221.

Nic Maddinson (34) and Steve Smith (16) will resume for the Blues on Saturday, when some rain is forecast.

Paine's attacking move paid instant dividends as Peter Nevill (0) was LBW to the first ball of the innings bowled by Luke Butterworth (1 for 8).

Fellow opener Scott Henry (3) also fell for a second single-digit score in the game, caught behind off Jackson Bird (1 for 20) with the total on 10.

Blues captain Michael Clarke (22) looked dangerous in his 21-ball cameo.

He struck four fours before he was caught by wicketkeeper Paine, who dived forward to complete the dismissal of the first ball bowled by James Faulkner (1 for 8).

All-rounder Butterworth spearheaded the Tigers' revival from 5 for 123 with a unbeaten 65.

Three stubborn partnerships helped avoid any risk of being asked to follow on after a difficult morning session in which they lost 3 for 69.

The Blues took control after dismissing Aiden Blizzard (7) and Mark Cosgrove (84) in successive overs.

Paine (23) and Faulkner (28) started the fight-back with a 31-run, sixth-wicket stand before lunch.

Butterworth then added 40 with Faulkner (28) and 88 with Jason Krejza (48).

The Tigers were more enterprising in the middle session, adding 118, with Butterworth and Krejza both playing some fine attacking shots.

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, bankstown-2200, tas

First posted September 28, 2012 17:44:35

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Ponting, Cowan fail against Blues

Updated September 27, 2012 18:03:53

Test batsmen Ricky Ponting and Ed Cowan both missed out in their first domestic innings of the season, against a New South Wales team inspired by a career-best effort from Moises Henriques.

Henriques blasted an unbeaten 161 against Tasmania, as the Blues recovered from a sickly 3 for 7 to post 442 in the Sheffield Shield match at Bankstown Oval.

Cowan (17) and Ponting (9) perished quickly, as the Tigers reached 3 for 111 when bad light ended play on day two around 40 minutes early.

Mark Cosgrove (73 not out) headed the Tigers' chase, striking several powerful boundaries.

Fellow opener Cowan, who appeared for Australia A and English county Gloucestershire during the off-season, looked set before leaving a ball from Trent Copeland (1 for 28) that crashed into his stumps.

Ponting received a warm welcome from the home spectators after Alex Doolan (5), was caught in the slips by Steve Smith off Doug Bollinger (1 for 26).

The former Test skipper faced 12 balls and struck a couple of sublime boundaries through cover and mid-on before playing around a delivery from Josh Hazlewood (1 for 36).

Ponting, whose last innings was in the third Test against West Indies five months ago, should get another three first-class hit-outs with the Tigers before the opening Test against South Africa in November.

The Blues were dismissed shortly after lunch, but not before Henriques and Copeland (55) each recorded highest first-class scores.

Their 124-run union represented the Blues' highest Sheffield Shield eighth-wicket stand against the Tigers.

They batted through the entire morning session, but the Blues innings closed when they lost 3 for 17 from the time of Copeland's dismissal.

Henriques, who had made nine first-class half-centuries, almost doubled his previous best first-class score of 82, made for Australia A against Pakistan A in Townsville in 2009.

The Australia one-day and Twenty20 representative smashed 15 fours and four sixes in his impressive 229-ball innings.

Copeland notched his second first-class half century, eclipsing his previous best of 53 against Queensland at Blacktown in the 2010/11 season.

Six bowlers claimed wickets for the Tigers, but only former Bankstown and Blues second XI paceman Jackson Bird (3 for 75) took more than one dismissal.

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, bankstown-2200, hobart-7000

First posted September 27, 2012 18:03:53

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Blues on top after Shield day one

Updated September 18, 2012 21:42:01

New South Wales appeared to be on top after a rain-affected opening day in the Sheffield Shield clash with Western Australia at the WACA Ground.

At stumps, the Blues were 0 for 2 in reply to the Warriors' 217, the visitors having won the toss and chosen to bowl first.

It was the earliest start ever to a domestic first-class season and there were a couple of rain delays before play was abandoned due to bad light with 9.1 overs still to be bowled.

Peter Nevill was on two and Scott Henry was yet to score.

Nevill got an early fright when he edged a Mitchell Johnson delivery in the first over of the innings, but the ball felt short of second slip.

Not surprisingly, Western Australian captain Marcus North was reluctant to leave the field, as the early finish denied his bowlers the chance to utilise the bowler-friendly conditions late in the day.

There were no such problems for the Blues, with captain Michael Clarke having no hesitation inserting the home side when he called correctly at the toss.

Under leaden skies, with a grassy wicket and strong breeze blowing, Clarke gave his seamers first use of the conditions and they made the most of it, with all five bowlers used claiming wickets.

The Blues claimed the key scalps of former Test batsmen Shaun Marsh (one) and Marcus North (12) cheaply in the opening session, and the home side never really recovered after being 3 for 48 before lunch.

The only sustained resistance for the Warriors came from the richly talented Mitchell Marsh, who made 67 in 211 minutes at the crease.

Marsh, coming off a flashy 78 in a one-day match on Sunday, received little support from his teammates, although veteran Adam Voges made 44.

Voges and Marsh added 69 for the fifth wicket to steady the Warriors innings, but the former fell just before tea, trapped LBW by Copeland (2-54).

Marsh was the ninth batsman to fall, trapped LBW by Doug Bollinger, having survived a confident shout earlier in the same over.

Bollinger bowled with good pace and finished with 3-55, after taking four wickets in a man-of-the-match performance on Sunday.

The former Test paceman claimed the important wicket of national hopeful Shaun Marsh, batting at number three, when the left-hander chased a wide delivery and edged the ball to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.

North was guilty of sacrificing his wicket cheaply, top edging an attempted scoop around the corner to Bollinger at deep fine leg from the bowling of Josh Hazlewood.

Despite the presence of nine Test cricketers and the Australian captain, a threadbare crowd of 331 was in attendance for the first day of play.

More rain is forecast for the next three days of the match.

AAP

Tags: sport, cricket, perth-6000, wa, sydney-2000, nsw, australia

First posted September 18, 2012 16:21:23

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Clinical Blues down Warriors

Updated September 21, 2012 05:57:28

New South Wales gained a sweet slice of revenge by crushing Western Australia by eight wickets inside three days in the Sheffield Shield match at the WACA ground in Perth.

The Blues were left licking their wounds in February when they lost to the Warriors by an innings and 323 runs in Perth.

Warriors opener Liam Davis cracked an unbeaten 303 in that match and caused the Blues some nervy moments on Thursday, as he made his way to 73 in the Warriors' second innings.

But it was to no avail, as the Warriors were bowled out for 248 just before tea on day three, leaving the Blues with a meagre victory target of 108.

And with increasing showers forecast for the fourth and final day on Friday, the Blues made sure they knocked off the runs swiftly.

Opener Peter Nevill (65 not out) and Nic Maddinson (30) were the main contributors as the visitors finished at 2 for 108 in 24.1 overs.

Blues paceman Trent Copeland, who returned figures of 2 for 54 and 4 for 57, was named man-of-the-match.

"He (Copeland) summed up conditions really well," Blues captain Michael Clarke told Grandstand.

"We knew in every innings there was enough there at the start of the day, a bit of seam movement and he just bowled well in the conditions, he bowled in the right area."

Despite losing the likes of Phillip Hughes, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Hauritz, Simon Katich, Brett Lee and Phil Jaques last summer, the Blues encountered few problems in their season-opening trip to Perth.

Clarke scored 78 in the Blues' first innings total of 358, with Moises Henriques (78) and Steve O'Keefe (74) also producing important knocks.

Left-arm paceman Doug Bollinger collected 3 for 55 in the Warriors' first innings, while Copeland ripped through the home side's top order in the second innings.

Copeland, who played three Tests for Australia last year, snared the scalps of Marcus Harris (10), Marcus North (11) and Mitch Marsh (10) to leave the Warriors in all sorts of trouble at 4 for 68.

Davis, who cracked 12 fours and two sixes, and former Tasmania wicketkeeper Tom Triffitt (51) put up stiff resistance for the Warriors, while Mitchell Johnson (28) and Nathan Rimmington (43 not out off 54 balls) provided some fireworks at the death.

But the Warriors' total was not nearly enough to trouble the Blues, who next take on Tasmania in a Shield clash at Bankstown Oval, starting Wednesday.

Johnson, who returned figures of 2 for 88 in the first innings, could not get a breakthrough on Thursday as he finished with 0 for 16 from four overs.

Warriors batsman Adam Voges injured his back while fielding on Wednesday and could be in doubt for the Shield encounter against Victoria in Perth starting September 30.

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, perth-6000, sydney-2000

First posted September 20, 2012 20:47:59

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Blues pushing final out of Vics' reach

Updated March 09, 2012 20:24:06

Victoria was left clinging to its faint hopes of qualifying for next week's Sheffield Shield final after New South Wales grabbed a 172-run advantage on day two of their clash at the MCG.

The Blues reached 6 for 149 in their second innings at stumps on Friday, with Peter Nevill unbeaten on 24 and Stephen O'Keefe 4 not out.

Nic Maddinson top scored with 51 on a lively pitch which yielded 26 wickets in two days.

Big wins this weekend by Queensland over South Australia and Tasmania against Western Australia would make it tough for fourth-placed Victoria to squeeze through into a top-two finish.

"You can't worry too much about it. We've still got plenty to be done here," Peter Siddle said.

"We've got to chase down these runs tomorrow or Sunday morning and see how we go (for the final).

"It is probably going to be hard for us.

"Hopefully the rain clouds (come) in the other two places (in Hobart and Brisbane)."

New South Wales coach Anthony Stuart said he was rapt with the performance of occasional medium-pacer Rohrer, who claimed a career-best 4 for 13,
but less pleased with his batsmen.

"We'd still like to have six or seven wickets in the shed but we don't and we have to deal with that," he said.

"Anything over 200 is going to be a good chase. Ideally we should be better-placed than we are so we're disappointed."

New South Wales began its second innings with a lead of 23 but lost Phil Hughes for a third-ball duck, caught at third slip off Jayde Herrick's bowling.

Usman Khawaja (33) was caught behind off Andrew McDonald and Steven Smith fell for 11, lbw to Will Sheridan.

Test quick Peter Siddle (2 for 38) trapped Maddinson lbw and Rohrer (17) was stumped in a bizarre manner.

Quick-thinking wicketkeeper Peter Handscomb threw the stumps down from backward square leg as Rohrer wandered out of his crease and Siddle unsuccessfully appealed for a lbw decision.

Spinner Jon Holland removed David Dawson lbw for 4 to make it 6 for 143 in the following over.

Rohrer and debutant paceman Chris Tremain (3 for 61) combined to bowl Victoria out for 185 in reply to the Blues' first-innings total of 208.

Skipper Cameron White top scored for Victoria with 39 and Glenn Maxwell was unbeaten on 26.

Fourth-placed Victoria had resumed on Friday on 1 for 22 against the fifth-placed Blues, who are out of contention for a spot in the final from March 16-20.

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, australia

First posted March 09, 2012 19:36:45

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Blues belted as friends turn foes

Updated December 08, 2011 21:12:46

Two former New South Wales batsmen have combined to help Tasmania set the Blues a daunting victory target of 401 to win their Sheffield Shield clash in Canberra.

Ed Cowan and Steven Cazzulino both blasted unbeaten centuries on Thursday to set up an exciting last-day run-chase, with the hosts requiring a further 388 runs to win after going to stumps at 0 for 13 in their second innings.

After taking a 128-run lead from the first innings, Cowan (145 not out) and Cazzulino (118 not out) ensured the Blues bowlers went wicketless on a flat Manuka Oval pitch as the Tigers declared their second innings at 0 for 272.

Cowan was particularly impressive, with his runs coming off just 159 balls with 21 boundaries, while Cazzulino notched his maiden first-class century from 166 balls.

Cowan maintained his good record against his old side - the last time he met New South Wales was in last season's Sheffield Shield final when he hit 133 in Tasmania's seven-wicket triumph.

Former Test spinner Nathan Hauritz finished the innings with figures of 0 for 96 and promising young fast bowler Josh Hazlewood with 0 for 70.

Cazzulino, who made his first-class debut for the Tigers last season, said his ton was "probably the most satisfying moment in my life".

"It's something that I've worked towards for so long and to bring it up against New South Wales, with Eddy down the other end doing so well as well - it's an amazing feeling," the 24-year-old said.

"(But) it's by no means in the bag - a lot of runs are being scored.

"It's a pretty flat wicket today, but if it continues to deteriorate as I think it will, then (bowlers will) play a big part in getting us over the line."

New South Wales wicketkeeper Peter Nevill, who made 112 not out to steer the Blues to a respectable 264 on Thursday, said his side face a difficult task but can take some heart out of a day when only two wickets fell.

"If they can make the ball reverse swing like they did in the first innings, it could be quite difficult against the seam bowlers as well," said Nevill.

"We've really just got to take it small sessions at a time and hopefully we can get two guys at the top of the order to bat through for quite a while."

Nevill and captain Ben Rohrer, batting at number 10 after suffering a side strain, earlier shared a 90-run partnership to steady the Blues after they resumed the day at a precarious 8 for 146.

Blues openers Phil Jaques (5) and Nic Maddinson (1) will resume on Friday after negotiating four overs before stumps.

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, manuka-2603, act, sydney-2000, nsw, hobart-7000, tas, australia

First posted December 08, 2011 20:38:12

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Blues hold on for Shield draw

Updated December 09, 2011 20:28:07

New South Wales maintains its Sheffield Shield season is still alive despite taking no points from its clash with Tasmania at Canberra's Manuka Oval on Friday.

The home side was set an intimidating victory target of 401 and while a successful run-chase never looked likely on the final day the Blues held on for a draw to deny the Tigers six valuable points.

An outright loss looked inevitable when New South Wales lost its eighth wicket with 20 overs remaining, but injured skipper Ben Rohrer (49 not out) and paceman Josh Lalor (29 not out) combined for a 69-run partnership to steer the Blues to 8 for 292 at stumps.

Defending Shield champion Tasmania banked first-innings points to move to third on the ladder with 16 points, while New South Wales remains fifth on eight.

The Blues need to bounce back after the upcoming two-month Shield hiatus - during which the Twenty20 Big Bash League will be played - and look to score maximum points in at least two of their four remaining games to be a chance of making the final.

Rohrer, who batted at number 10 on Friday due to a side strain, still believes his side can qualify for the decider.

"We've been playing some really good cricket. We've only lost one game and that was by 10 runs," he said.

"We had three draws - one of them was probably lucky and the other one we fought really hard for - so we just haven't been able to get those wins on the board.

"So I don't think much has changed with our season, we just need a bit of luck going our way."

They used some up on Friday when Tasmania missed two crucial catches that might have ended New South Wales' hopes.

"We expected to take those two wickets," said Tasmania opener Ed Cowan, who blasted 145 not out from 159 balls on Thursday to help set up the daunting target.

"But if you look at the last session in its entirety there were five wickets to take, which was a big job.

"But we missed two catches in the last hour so we've only got ourselves to blame.

"It's a shame having dominated the game for four days that we didn't get the rewards but it's a good blueprint for our cricket going forward."

Tasmania's well-balanced attack worked hard on the flat Manuka pitch, with Jackson Bird (3 for 69), Xavier Doherty (2 for 58), James Faulkner (2 for 71) and Ben Hilfenhaus (1 for 50) all contributing.

Ex-New South Wales paceman Bird was particularly impressive, claiming the key wicket of Simon Katich, who top-scored for the Blues with 76.

Tasmania will square off against New South Wales in the first match after the break in Hobart from February 9-12.

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, act, manuka-2603, sydney-2000, nsw, hobart-7000, tas, australia

First posted December 09, 2011 19:23:26

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Hazlewood gives Blues the edge

Updated December 06, 2011 20:29:11

Two late wickets to Josh Hazlewood has tipped the ledger ever so slightly in New South Wales' favour on the opening day of its Sheffield Shield clash with Tasmania at Manuka Oval.

Tasmania won the toss and reached 6 for 267 at stumps, aided by the big-hitting Alex Doolan, who finished with 82 and Ed Cowan's 65.

Doolan helped Tasmania to 4 for 241 late in the session before Hazlewood (2 for 49) kept the Blues in touch by trapping him and James Faulkner (44) LBW in quick succession.

The pair had enjoyed a 92-run stand, including 12 fours from Doolan.

Matt Johnston remains unbeaten on 15 and Tom Triffitt is on 7.

Earlier in the day it was Cowan who led the charge against his former state, bagging 11 fours in his breezy knock before Blues young gun Josh Lalor sent him packing shortly after lunch.

Lalor (3 for 62) then went on to take another two wickets, dismissing skipper George Bailey for 18 and Mark Cosgrove for 10, which had Tasmania under pressure at 4 for 145.

But Doolan steadied the ship before Hazlewood's late breakthrough.

"A couple of good overs in a row and all of a sudden you've got the momentum on your side, so it's just a matter of building that pressure and putting a couple of sets together," Hazlewood said.

"I'm bowling pretty well and have been for most of the season.

"It was a good game last week picking up a few wickets ... getting a couple again so it's just a matter of staying on the path and keeping fit and bowling well."

Tasmania's top-scorer Doolan said he expects spin to play a bigger role as the four-day match rolls on.

"We probably would have liked to be a few more wickets less, and maybe a few more runs, but not knowing what the wicket's going to do, we're not too sure how it's going to play out," he said.

"We'll go into the innings with our eyes wide open."

The fifth-placed Blues (eight points) could vault as high as second place on the Shield ladder with a victory against the defending champions.

But Tasmania has momentum, enjoying victories against Victoria and South Australia in its past two hit-outs.

A win against the Blues would allow the Tigers to shore up second spot behind pacesetters Queensland (30 points) ahead of the Christmas break.

AAP

Tags: sport, cricket, canberra-2600, sydney-2000, hobart-7000

First posted December 06, 2011 18:49:23

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Bulls roll Blues to stay undefeated

Updated November 21, 2011 08:43:55

An all-round effort by Mitchell Starc was not enough to stop Queensland claiming a 50-run, bonus-point one-day cup win over New South Wales and extending its winning season start to eight straight games at the Gabba on Sunday.

The Blues were bowled out for 171 in the 44th over as the Bulls ensured they were undefeated in all formats in 2011-12 - a run that includes four straight one-day victories.

It pales in comparison to other Brisbane-based teams.

Queensland Firebirds went through the season undefeated to win the 2011 trans-Tasman netball championship.

A-League champions Brisbane Roar have equalled Australian club sport's record of 35 unbeaten games.

But the Bulls' run has them on track to collect some silverware this season under new coach Darren Lehmann.

"You see teams like Brisbane Roar marching down the mall with the trophy - that's where we want to be," Queensland's top-scorer Chris Lynn (61) said.

"That inspires you. You want to hold the trophy up, that's why I play the game."

Queensland pulled off a convincing win - but it was not without controversy.

Ben Rohrer (14) was an unhappy man after he was run out in the 12th over as New South Wales slumped to 4 for 32.

Sent back by non-striker Steven Smith, a diving Rohrer appeared to be accidentally impeded by bowler Ben Cutting (2 for 42) before being caught short by a James Hopes (2 for 29) direct hit.

It went to third umpire Paul Reiffel and was given out.

But a livid Rohrer only left the field after a lively debate between players and both umpires.

"I felt getting back to the crease I was impeded," Rohrer later told Fox Sports.

"And looking at the replays now he (Cutting) changed his course a fair bit."

Chasing 222 for victory, the Blues slumped to 3 for 11 when Simon Katich (1) was caught behind off Cutting and they never recovered, despite the best efforts of Moises Henriques (38) and Steven Smith (34).

A 42-run ninth wicket stand by Starc (34 not out and 5 for 39) and debutant quick Josh Lalor (13) delayed the inevitable.

Earlier, left-arm quick Starc helped New South Wales bowl Queensland out for 221 by the 49th over.

A 93-run, fifth-wicket stand by Lynn and Nathan Reardon (50) helped the Bulls post a competitive total after slumping to 4 for 57 in the 15th over.

The visitors' cause was not helped by captain Stephen O'Keefe leaving the field with an injured hand in the 28th over of Queensland's innings.

AAP

Tags: cricket, sport, brisbane-4000, qld, sydney-2000, nsw, australia

First posted November 20, 2011 21:39:00

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Clark keeps Blues contract

Posted June 27, 2011 20:22:00

Stuart Clark has kept his state contract with New South Wales despite taking on the general manager's role with the new Sydney Sixers Twenty20 franchise.

Former Australia paceman Clark took up the role with the Sixers in the revamped competition but he did not retire.

The 35-year-old had said he would only play for the Blues if required but his contract arrangement would indicate he intends being more involved than initially thought.

Blues players not to be given contracts included wicketkeeper Daniel Smith, all-rounders Tim Armstrong and Scott Coyte, spinner Luke Doran and fast bowler Joe Mennie, all of whom were delisted.

From their 2010/11 squad, the Blues also lost Mark Cameron to Western Australia, Peter Forrest to Queensland and Nathan Bracken to retirement.

Opener Nic Maddinson, 19, who is currently on tour with Australia A in Zimbabwe, was upgraded from a rookie deal to a full contract.

- AAP

Tags: sport, cricket, sydney-2000

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