Top guns strong enough to end drought
NSW skipper Steve Smith is confident the Blues’ toporder has enough firepower to end an eight-year domestic one-day cup drought, even if in- form opener David Warner fails to continue his blistering form against Queensland in today’s final.
NSW go into the decider at North Sydney Oval as underdogs against the defending champions, with the Bulls suffering just one defeat over the course of this year’s fourweek tournament.
Warner’s record-breaking 197 steered the Blues home in pursuit of Victoria’s hefty target of 322 with three balls to spare in Thursday’s elimination final.
After an erratic start to his season, Warner seems certain of selection for next month’s first Ashes Test, having peeled off three rapidfire centuries in just four matches, and is comfortably clear as the competition’s top run-getter.
All three tons have been scored on the tight confines of North Sydney Oval, and Smith believes Warner is capable of maintaining his momentum in the final.
‘‘There is no reason why he can’t (continue his form),’’ he said.
‘‘He’s certainly difficult to stop. We have seen that in this tournament, particularly at North Sydney.
‘‘He is a strong little lad and with the big bats he uses, he only needs to get a little bit of it and it goes for six.
‘‘But if they do manage to get him out, we’ve got plenty of batsmen here to step up.’’
When asked what Warner has done to turn things around after a tough year on and off the field, Smith said: ‘‘I think he put it down to love the other day with (new girlfriend) Candice (Falzon).
‘‘He’s certainly been doing all the right things on and off the field, so I think his success has just come from working hard and backing himself, to be honest.’’
Warner scored 139 in the most recent meeting between the two teams last week, only for the Blues to suffer a middle-order collapse, with the Bulls cruising to a fivewicket win with six overs to spare.
Smith believes his side have prepared well for the challenge.
‘‘We have a few little plans here and there,’’ he said.
‘‘(Queensland) have played some very good cricket throughout this tournament and have probably been the benchmark in one-day domestic cricket for five or six years, so it will certainly be a tough task.’’
Queensland have a strong bowling attack led by Test spearhead Ryan Harris, while opener Usman Khawaja has top-scored for the Bulls with four halfcenturies in six innings.