Pura Cup Round 5: Victoria v New South Wales @ Melbourne (Fri-Mon)

[Russian]

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Melbourne Cricket Ground​

11am Friday November 30-Monday December 3​

It was a battle for the spoon in the one dayer, it’s a battle for top spot in the four dayer. Jewell made 180 last time and Quiney 30 in each innings so the Victorian opening partnership remains the same and Lloyd Mash plays 2nd XI cricket again. Michael Klinger gets the middle order spot vacated by Cameron White ahead of Blizzard and Finch, while Shane Harwood replaces the injured Clint McKay with Nannes to probably carry the drinks unless someone breaks down in the next 24 hours.

New South Wales, who haven’t won at the G since 1995 when they had Slater, Taylor, Bevan, McGrath, Matthews, Emery and a couple of Waughs who had played for Australia and Shane Lee and Simon Cook (who only lasted four balls) who would, have dropped opening pair Ed Cowan and Phillip Hughes from the side that thrashed Tasmania, but they keep their spots after the withdrawal of Test players Phil Jaques and Michael Clarke. Cowan has managed only 109 in his 7 innings this season, while Hughes made 50 on debut against Tassie. Stuart Clark comes in in the only change, with Lambert or Nicholson likely to make way. Brett Lee’s having the game off because the selectors want to see Bollinger’s audition for a spot on Boxing Day. With Ponting and Hussey the only Test batsmen fit to play this weekend, Simon Katich is also possibly auditioning for Boxing Day, while runs for Hodge, Hussey and Haddin may help them into the Twenty20 or one day sides if any of those batsmen don't recover in time.

Victoria XII:
Nick Jewell, Rob Quiney, *Brad Hodge, David Hussey, Michael Klinger, Andrew McDonald, +Matthew Wade, Shane Harwood, Dirk Nannes, Bryce McGain, Gerard Denton, Allan Wise

New South Wales XII:
Phillip Hughes, Ed Cowan, Peter Forrest, *Simon Katich, Dominic Thornely, +Brad Haddin, Grant Lambert, Beau Casson, Matthew Nicholson, Nathan Bracken, Stuart Clark, Doug Bollinger

Weather:
Fine until Monday when there’s showers and possibly thunderstorms. Mid 20s-low 30s.
Radar

Session Times:
First session: 11am-1pm
Second session: 1:40-3:40pm
Third session: 4-6pm
(Gates open 10:30)

Ladder:
New South Wales – 20
Victoria – 18
Western Australia – 12
South Australia – 8
Tasmania – 6
Queensland – 4
(All played 4 games)

Coverage:
Cricket Victoria’s live webcast brought to you by

– some coverage on Grandstand (online Real Windows) on the weekend
Cricket Australia’s scorecard
MCG Webcam:

Tickets:
Adults - $5
Concession/Children - $2
Family - $10
(Free with validated Metcard)

 

[Cleavy]

Clarke rested. Denton to undergo fitness test on his ankle.

 

[eddiesmith]

Clarke rested. Denton to undergo fitness test on his ankle.

Clarke out?

 

[Cleavy]

FoxSports

Michael Clarke is the latest star being rested as Australia continues their no-risk policy before the start of a long campaign of almost constant cricket.
Cricket Australia has pulled Clarke out of the NSW side to play Victoria in a Pura Cup match at the MCG, after he experienced soreness in his hamstring during the recent Test win over Sri Lanka in Hobart.

Cricket Australia says Clarke would have been fit enough to play in the top-versus-second domestic game but will be rested as a precaution before Australia play the Chappell-Hadlee one-day series against New Zealand and then begin a Test series against India.

 

[Cousin Jed]

Brett Lee’s having the game off because the selectors want to see Bollinger’s audition for a spot on Boxing Day

Gonna take ALOT of injuries for that to happen

 

[Moin Khan]

Watch Nicholson ton up

 

[eddiesmith]

Watch Nicholson ton up

Be a bit hard from the sidelines

 

[Bomber Bears]

Blues for the win. Hughes to continue his excellent form, cowen to come back into form and solid middle contribution before Bollinger and Clark rip in.

 

[DeadlyAkkuret]

Seriously glad Lee isn't playing, even as a huge Bing fan. He's just not the same bowler at state level, he needs the motivation of an international match.

Victoria are going to have a hard time putting a big score on the board against the likes of Bollinger, Clark, Bracken and Nicholson, but i'd never say never, can't get too cocky.

In a way i'm glad Jaques and Clarke aren't playing, because i want Hughes to get more chances to continue his promising start, and Forrest deserves an extended run in the side, too. Aslong as everything isn't left to Kat and Haddin, i think the Blues should atleast get first innings points, but our batting is crucial!

 

[NWTYRX]

Hughes out for a 2nd ball duck
Forrest gone for 5th ball duck
2/1

 

[Cousin Jed]

Forrest a duck

2/1

 

[saj_21]

Great start to the vics!!! and Shane Harwood hasn't even come on yet he owns NSW.

 

[grimlock]

Lol, the Mail is back.

 

[Jaymin]

Lol, the Mail is back.

I'm not sure what has shocked me the most.

The fact he is playing again or the fact that he wasn't one of the two wickets that fell in the first 3 overs!

 

[kenrosewall]

Katich continuing his stunning form.

Aggregate of 631 runs @ 157.75

 

[grimlock]

I'm not sure what has shocked me the most.

The fact he is playing again or the fact that he wasn't one of the two wickets that fell in the first 3 overs!

Yes where is Cowan? Is he out injured as well? I would have thought Mail had played his last game for the Blues.

I wonder if he'll make a 100 if he bats through the day.

 

[hong_kong_bond]

Yes where is Cowan? Is he out injured as well? I would have thought Mail had played his last game for the Blues.

I wonder if he'll make a 100 if he bats through the day.

Cowans been dropped - his form this year has been awful.

2/82 at lunch - Katich looking ominous

 

[grimlock]

Hmm really. Might have blooded Khawaja but I guess having 2 rookie openers is probably not the way to go.

 

[Russian]

Cowan's injured - he was named as Clarke's replacement then pulled out this morning.

Ronald drops his replacement

 

[Rick18]

Latest Update: NSW 4/105
Katich 55n.o
Haddin 3n.o

 

[hong_kong_bond]

2 wickets in 2 balls to Denton.

NSW - 4/102, Katich 55*

 

[Pigdog]

Katich and Haddin have the ability to put together some big numbers. If the Vics can strike shortly you could see them running through the tail.

 

[Rick18]

I'm liking the commentators at the moment, it's really getting me into the match

 

[Rick18]

NSW 4/189, Katich just brought up his century...
Do you reckon Katich might be working his way up the pecking order for the Test team? The thought just popped into my head considering his recent form

 

[kenrosewall]

Another ton to Katich.

I think Bevan's aggregate of 1,464 in 2004/05 is in trouble.

Katich now has 689 @ 172.25

That is of course assuming he will be playing for NSW all season.