Queensland crushes NSW in one-dayer - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Queensland crushes NSW in one-dayer

By Jim Morton 25/10/2006 10:30:38 PM Comments (0)

Allrounder James Hopes belted a quick-fire century before leading Queensland's depleted bowling attack in a one-day domination of NSW at the Gabba.

Opener Hopes notched his maiden limited overs century in carving up 102 off 108 balls to set the platform for the Bulls' 65-run Ford Ranger Cup victory.

Queensland debutant Michael Buchanan, the son of Australian coach John, then made Test paceman Stuart Clark's return one to forget by blasting him for 18 runs off the 50th over to lift the home side to 7-262.

The Bulls bowlers, missing four front-liners, then ensured a second straight bonus-point victory in the competition by dismissing NSW in the 49th over for 197.

Veteran Andy Bichel put a down-payment on the win by sending dangermen Phil Jaques (3) and Brad Haddin (1) packing within his first three overs.

Despite a steadying 86-run fourth-wicket stand between Aaron O'Brien (55 off 105) and Dominic Thornely (47 off 67), the Blues never recovered from 3-12.

Hopes (3-40) administered the last rites by taking the last three wickets as the Blues failed to pass 210 to avoid conceding the bonus point.

"We played very poor cricket from ball one today," said NSW captain Haddin.

"There was no enthusiasm and there's no excuses.

"We got outplayed in all aspects of the game by the Queensland boys."

Man-of-the-match Hopes sent a timely reminder to the national selectors with his innings which included 11 fours and two sixes after riding his luck early against Clark.

He lost his Cricket Australia contract in April after being dropped from the one-day side following an expensive tour of South Africa and is an outsider for next year's jewel-in-the-crown tournament in the Caribbean.

It was a mixed day for Clark (1-65 off 10 overs) who had Jimmy Maher caught at slip with his first ball back from a thigh injury but was expensive as he tired late in the innings.

Even so, the Blues bowlers did well to restrict the home side to 7-262 after it was cruising at 3-193 with 12 overs left, when Hopes brought up his ton.

Doug Bollinger (2-48) sparked a 3-2 mini-collapse in 10 balls when he clean bowled Hopes and then Brendan Nash (19) and Chris Simpson (1) fell in quick succession.

Only a swashbuckling unbeaten 52-run stand by Buchanan (40 off 38) and Andy Bichel (21 off 13) saw the Bulls past 250.

Former Bull Nathan Hauritz (1-42) was the best of the Blues bowlers, tying down his old teammates early after being introduced in the 16th over and never giving an inch when the Bulls were on the charge.

Without Michael Kasprowicz, Mitchell Johnson, Ashley Noffke and Nathan Rimmington, promoted duo Grant Sullivan (1-38) and Scott Brant (1-27) showed Queensland still has plenty of bowling depth.

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