NSW keen for stars to return
NEW South Wales will be eagerly awaiting the return of their Test stars after slumping to a second defeat to open the season, as South Australia cruised to a bonus-point victory against the Blues in Brisbane yesterday.
South Australia reached 5-177 off 39 overs after NSW could only muster 173 off 38.4 overs after being sent in to bat at Allan Border Field.
Redbacks veteran Tom Cooper posted his second half century in as many matches to topscore with an unbeaten 52.
SA’s top five all got a start as NSW’s attack struggled to make inroads with Alex Carey (36) and acting skipper Jake Lehmann (37) making solid contributions.
South Australia bounced back strongly after suffering a one-sided seven wicket defeat against Queensland to open their summer on Tuesday.
Joe Mennie and Kane Richardson made full use of the conditions to leave NSW staggering at 5-27 with all their specialist batsmen back in the pavilion inside seven overs.
NSW-born Mennie returned 3-39 including three top-order scalps, while Richardson was equally impressive in securing figures of 3-25.
There was also a first oneday cup wicket for promising leg-spinner prospect Lloyd Pope (1-48) on his tournament debut. Jack Edwards and Moises Henriques, who made halfcenturies in NSW’s opening loss against Queensland, both went for ducks, while Test cap Kurtis Patterson made just nine.
NSW partially revived thanks to a 64-run stand between the ever reliable Peter Nevill (40) and all-rounder Daniel Sams (35), while Arjun Nair chipped in with 22.
Sean Abbott (26 from 24 balls) swung lustily late in the innings, helping to add 34 for the last wicket.