Melbourne Cricket Ground
11am Friday March 7-Monday March 10
Victoria needing maximum points to be any chance of not pissing off the NRL, Queensland need them to get off the bottom. Of most interest to Australian selector Merv Hughes will be Shane Watson’s performance – if he can bowl at the end of the game he’ll be seriously considered for the forthcoming tours, while they’ve surely seen enough of Noffke and Hussey. Victoria had a bad week last week but it was largely the side that has got them into next weekend’s final – Nick Jewell’s opening partner remains in doubt with Mash doing little to suggest he’s any better than Quiney or Klinger, is Blizzard a chance? The pace pecking order seems decided – the first three fit from this list – Siddle, Denton, Nannes, McKay, Harwood, Pattinson, Wise – will play, or not with Harwood rested and an extra-cautious approach being taken with Siddle and Denton. For the third time in Adam Crosthwaite's four year career, the Victorian selectors have switched the keepers in the closing stages of the season as he comes in for his first game of the season in place of Matthew Wade, just as he took Peter Roach's spot in 2004-05, and Nathan Pilon took his in 2005-06
The Bulls have brought in Nathan Reardon to take Jimmy Maher’s place. He’s found form at the right time to get an opportunity ahead of middle order options Craig Philipson and Lee Carseldine and former Pura Cup opener Daniel Payne, with Clinton Perren and Nick Kruger recalled after the withdrawal of Greg Moller with concussion and Martin Love who's found yet another strange way to miss out on playing cricket. However it’s no great advantage as Ben Rohrer will tell you that March form doesn’t mean a lot at October selection meetings. As first picked Reardon is likely to get one of the two vacancies, most likely the opening spot leaving Perren at 3 and Kruger 12th man unless Broad is ruled out with his dodgy ankle, which would leave Matheson as drinks waiter. Shane Watson to step up to 4 and Aaron Nye to slot in at 5 or 6, wherever new skipper Chris Simpson doesn’t want to be. Daniel Doran got smashed again but with the bottom of the barrel already being scraped they haven't found another quick to stick in there and the leggie will get one more game for the Bulls before they surely chase a few fringe bowlers in the off season to support Bichel, Noffke, Swan, Brant and Rimmington next year.
Victoria XIII:
Lloyd Mash, Rob Quiney, Nick Jewell, Brad Hodge, David Hussey, *Cameron White, Andrew McDonald, +Adam Crosthwaite, Clint McKay, Dirk Nannes, Darren Pattinson, Bryce McGain, Allan Wise
Queensland XII:
Ryan Broad, Nick Kruger, Nathan Reardon (FC debut), Clinton Perren, Shane Watson, Aaron Nye, *Chris Simpson, Ashley Noffke, +Chris Hartley, Daniel Doran, Ben Laughlin (FC debut), Scott Brant
Weather:
Fine, high 20s-mid 30s
Session Times:
First session: 11am-1pm
Second session: 1:40-3:40pm
Third session: 4-6pm
(Gates open 10:30)
Ladder:
New South Wales – 33
Victoria – 33
Western Australia – 26
Tasmania – 16
South Australia – 14.5
Queensland – 12
Coverage:
Cricket Victoria’s live webcast brought to you by
Cricket Australia’s scorecard
MCG Webcam:
Tickets:
Adults - $5
Concession/Children - $2
Family - $10
