DOWN BLUES GET LIFT
VICTORIA inflicted another heavy one-day cup defeat on NSW, but there was finally some good news for the Blues, with confirmation Test pace duo Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins are set to return.
NSW was dismissed for 261, having lasted only 42 overs in pursuit of Victoria’s 327 at North Sydney Oval yesterday.
Moises Henriques (77) and Daniel Sams (56) played breezy six-laden knocks late in the innings but NSW, after losing in-form opener Daniel Hughes for 2, was always behind the pace in an innings slightly delayed after a swarm of bees swept across the field.
Champions two years ago, the Blues have started the summer with three successive defeats after earlier losses against Western Australia and South Australia in Perth.
But Hazlewood and Cummins made a successful return to grade cricket on Saturday and their opening state appearance of the summer has been pencilled in for October 1 against Queensland.
NSW, which is missing seven top-line players due to national team selection, injury or suspension, lined up with four rookies yesterday.
“There is a lot of learning to be done because there is a lot of guys that haven’t had much experience yet,” NSW bowler Sean Abbott said.
“But the young guys who have come in and been put under pressure have done pretty well.”
NSW has been unable to claim top-order wickets this season, and the return of Test regulars Hazlewood and Cummins will be a perfectly timed boost.
The nature of the reformatted competition means NSW will feature in the finals playoffs regardless of where it finishes on the ladder, though teams in the bottom-four will need to win three successive matches to claim the title.
“We are certainly looking to build momentum,” Abbott said. “That is something we talk about ever year and it is certainly a goal of ours now that we can’t make the top two.”
Abbott collected 5-70 and successfully helped slow Victoria’s momentum late in their innings.
However, the damage had long been done as Cameron White and Peter Handscomb put on a confident 190-run stand for the third wicket.
White scored his third century at North Sydney Oval before eventually failing for 123, while Test discard Handscomb enjoyed a welcome return to form with a polished 89 from 79 balls.
Glenn Maxwell (21 off 10 balls) and former NSW batsman Nic Maddinson (20 off 10) threw that bat chasing quick runs late in the innings.
“I was pretty happy with our batting performance today and thought 330 was a pretty good score, seeing as there was a bit of grass and moisture early on,” White said.