2nd Innings
Tasmania has cruised to a comfortable 7 wicket victory against Queensland at the Gabba, thus taking out the 2004/05 ING Cup.
It must have evoked a distinct sense of déjà vu amongst players and spectators alike as the match slipped slowly away from the Bulls and as Tasmania edged ever closer to a remarkable cup victory.
Tasmania were set a target of 247 in order to win the ING cup, and barring one minor collapse in which two wickets fell in successive deliveries it seemed inevitable that it would be Daniel Marsh holding the trophy aloft.
As opposed to the smattering of low scores that littered the top end of the Queensland scoreboard, all the Tigers batsmen got their eye in and made worthy contributions to the total.
The run rate was extremely healthy right from the start of the innings, with Travis Birt scoring 36 off as many balls before edging a Johnson ball through to keeper Wade Seccombe.
Di Venuto and Dighton kept the scoreboard ticking over at well above the required rate before Di Venuto skied a catch to Nye in the outfield to be out for 28. In a freakish turn of events, Dighton was run out the very next ball when he was caught well short of his ground.
Successive wickets caused the 12,357 parochial Bulls fans in attendance to roar to life in the hope that their team was to come storming home to a memorable victory. It wasn’t to be however as Queensland failed to take any more wickets throughout the afternoon.
Bevan 47* and Marsh 67* were the batsmen at the crease as the Tigers achieved their first Australian one day domestic victory in over two decades.
First Innings
A gritty century from captain Jimmy Maher was the cornerstone of Queensland’s innings as they set Tasmania a target of 247 to win the 2004/05 ING Cup.
Maher’s innings of 104 combined with a half century from Craig Philipson edged the Bulls slowly toward their total (7/246), with an abnormally low run rate plaguing the scorebook throughout the entire innings.
On a typical Gabba wicket that looked as flat as a road, Queensland struggled to take full advantage of the ideal conditions that winning the toss and choosing to bat had exposed them to.
After not having won an Australian domestic one day title since the 1978-9 season, the Tigers were understandably nervous and it surfaced in some sloppy ground fielding early on.
Adam Griffith did his best to rid his side of any big match nerves, taking two quick wickets of Lachlan Stevens (18) and promoted pinch hitter Andy Bichel (1).
Clinton Perren dug in and the Queensland faithful were hoping he could forge an innings stabilizing partnership with his skipper. Alas after adding 22 runs off 53 balls he fell victim to Luke Butterworth, hitting a ball into the safe hands of Michael Bevan.
The Queensland trump player, Craig Philipson, whose lusty hitting made one fan in the Vulture Street stands $1000 richer after taking a crowd catch was the next to enter the arena and along with Maher’s help they put together a century partnership.
Jimmy Maher could not contain his jubilation upon reaching his century, possibly realizing the importance of his knock. Regardless of whether Queensland were to set a winning total, Maher had certainly earned his position as ‘Today’s Maroon Grown Hero’ in the official program distributed to spectators.
His joy was short lived however, when he played a Wright delivery onto his stumps dismissing him for 104. Philipson departed soon after, skying a ball to Xavier Doherty in the outfield.
Aaron Nye (28 runs off 22 balls) partnered with the tail in the closing stages of the innings, none of which managed to make a lasting impression on the scoreboard and as the final over commenced the Bulls were still short of the 250 mark.
The Tasmanian chase will commence after the luncheon break.
Queensland have won the toss and elected to bat in the ING cup final against Tasmania at the Gabba in Brisbane. A glorious sunny day will play host to the match, and Queensland will be keen to make up for last years home final loss at the hands of the Western Warriors.
Innings reports will be posted as the day progresses.
Queensland Bulls: Jimmy Maher (c), Lachlan Stevens, Clinton Perren, Craig Philipson, Brendan Nash, Aaron Nye, Wade Seccombe, Andy Bichel, Ashley Noffke, Nathan Hauritz, Mitchell Johnson.
Tasmanian Tigers: Travis Birt, Michael Dighton, Michael Di Venuto, Michael Bevan, Daniel Marsh, George Biley, Damien Wright, Luke Butterworth, Xavier Doherty, Brett Geeves, Adam Griffith, Scott Kremerskothen.
Toss: Queensland (bat)
Umpires: Steve Davis (SA), Dave Orchard (Qld), Peter Parker (3rd).
