Ford Ranger Cup Final - Victoria vs Queensland at Melbourne Cricket Ground
Well, the Ford Ranger Cup comes down to this. Queensland smashed Victoria the last time they played, winning by 135 runs as the Vics were bowled out embarassingly for less than 100 runs. However, Queensland had a chance to earn themselves the right to host the final but couldn't beat a lowly South Australia at the Adelaide Oval, gifting Victoria the final as the Vics had won one more match during the course of the season.
So Victoria host the final but go into the game without one of their best bowlers, Dirk Nannes and Shane Harwood, the leading wicket-taker for the comp has an injury cloud with his pectoral muscles giving him some trouble. But, Victoria will gain the services of Cameron White and David Hussey who have been playing one-day cricket for Australia for the past month.
Queensland have their own problems too with Andrew Symonds looking uncertain at this point with a right knee problem sustained in the Sheffield Shield match against the Redbacks. James Hopes returns from Australian duties and Ashley Noffke got through the one-day game against South Australia without any problems.
This promises to be a super match, both teams finished on 30 points for the year so with some luck this will be an even contest. Victoria have possibly been the slightly better side all year but Queensland have been the dark horse and had won their last five games before collapsing against SA. Victoria have lost their last two one-day finals and will be desperate to make amends here with a win. Hopefully we see a great final.
Victoria XIII: *Cameron White, +Adam Crosthwaite, Aaron Finch, Shane Harwood, John Hastings, Brad Hodge, Jon Holland, David Hussey, Clinton McKay, Darren Pattinson, Robert Quiney, Chris Rogers, Damien Wright (two to be omitted)
Queensland XIII: *Chris Simpson, Glen Batticciotto, Ryan Broad, Lee Carseldine, +Chris Hartley, James Hopes, Ben Laughlin, Ashley Noffke, Clinton Perren, Nathan Reardon, Nathan Rimmington, Chris Swan, Andrew Symonds (two to be omitted)
Well, the Ford Ranger Cup comes down to this. Queensland smashed Victoria the last time they played, winning by 135 runs as the Vics were bowled out embarassingly for less than 100 runs. However, Queensland had a chance to earn themselves the right to host the final but couldn't beat a lowly South Australia at the Adelaide Oval, gifting Victoria the final as the Vics had won one more match during the course of the season.
So Victoria host the final but go into the game without one of their best bowlers, Dirk Nannes and Shane Harwood, the leading wicket-taker for the comp has an injury cloud with his pectoral muscles giving him some trouble. But, Victoria will gain the services of Cameron White and David Hussey who have been playing one-day cricket for Australia for the past month.
Queensland have their own problems too with Andrew Symonds looking uncertain at this point with a right knee problem sustained in the Sheffield Shield match against the Redbacks. James Hopes returns from Australian duties and Ashley Noffke got through the one-day game against South Australia without any problems.
This promises to be a super match, both teams finished on 30 points for the year so with some luck this will be an even contest. Victoria have possibly been the slightly better side all year but Queensland have been the dark horse and had won their last five games before collapsing against SA. Victoria have lost their last two one-day finals and will be desperate to make amends here with a win. Hopefully we see a great final.
Victoria XIII: *Cameron White, +Adam Crosthwaite, Aaron Finch, Shane Harwood, John Hastings, Brad Hodge, Jon Holland, David Hussey, Clinton McKay, Darren Pattinson, Robert Quiney, Chris Rogers, Damien Wright (two to be omitted)
Queensland XIII: *Chris Simpson, Glen Batticciotto, Ryan Broad, Lee Carseldine, +Chris Hartley, James Hopes, Ben Laughlin, Ashley Noffke, Clinton Perren, Nathan Reardon, Nathan Rimmington, Chris Swan, Andrew Symonds (two to be omitted)
