CRICKET
EXPORTS
By TOM HAYES
MORWELL’S Peter Siddle and Victoria advanced to the One Day Cup final, confirming a spot in the top two following victory over New South Wales last Sunday (February 23).
Coming into the final group stage round, both Victoria and New South Wales were chances of joining South Australia in the final. Queensland was also in the race, but lost.
Victoria captain Will Sutherland won the toss and elected to field, which saw New South Wales nearly bat out their 50-over allotment at Sydney Olympic Park.
Siddle claimed three wickets, two of which were the most dangerous throughout the NSW innings. First was Matthew Gilkes who was bowled for 72 with the score at 4/132. Following a steady stint throughout the middle order, Siddle had his second and third towards the end of the innings, claiming the wicket of Lachlan Shaw for 80, then the final wicket of Liam Hatcher who was caught behind.
The former Latrobe player claimed 3/54, joint for most wickets with spinner Todd Murphy who grabbed 3/46.
With only one ball left in the NSW innings, they were bowled out for 310.
Astonishingly, it only took 37.4 overs for Victoria to hit the winning runs, thanks to outstanding efforts from their top order.
The opening duo of Harry Dixon and Campbell Kellaway put on 106 for the first wicket, before Dixon’s departure for 57. Marcus Harris joined Kellaway at the crease and lasted around 10 overs before he returned to the sheds for 37.
Meanwhile, Kellaway scored a century, finishing with 117 from 101 and number four bat Peter Handscomb just missed out on triple figures, registering 91 runs in 52 balls.
Victoria got the job done by eight wickets, and looked on target to score over 400.
South Australia and Victoria will go head-to-head in the One Day Cup final on Saturday, March 1 at the Adelaide Oval.
