Sheffield Shield Round 7, Day 1: Hussey-less Victoria Rolled, Cooper on Fire
The Victorian Bushrangers again chose to leave David Hussey out of their Sheffield Shield starting XI. And again they have been made to look foolish. New South Wales rolled the Bushrangers for 218. The innings was salvaged only thanks to the blade of “The Big Show” Glenn Maxwell, who put all his trademark tricks, including the switch hit, on display in his late innings assault. He was the last wicket to fall, frustratingly 6 short of a century on 94 off an impressive 95 balls. Abbott and Copeland picked up 3 wickets each for the Blues. In reply NSW are 2/128 and are looking like coasting on to first innings points.
Despite having better stats that any of the batsman in the line-up that took that field (with the exception of Cameron White), Hussey was left out to carry the drinks. Whatever it is that is driving this decision, youth policy is the only logical reason, it’s wrong. You can’t leave somebody that good, that experienced out of your Shield side. And as a consequence Victoria can continue to enjoy languishing in dead last on the ladder.
At the Gabba, South Australia’s Tom Cooper catapulted himself to the top of the run scorers list for the competition with an unbeaten 156. It’s his second century for the season and both times he has gone past the 150 mark. Batting well above his average this season, will this be a breakthrough for the 27 year old Netherlands international? Or will it be a one hit wonder? The top-of-the-table Redbacks finished well on top at stumps at 4/278, Queensland have a lot of work to do in that one.
Over in Perth Tasmania were bowled out for 248. Cosgrove’s 71 got Tassy off to a solid start but the middle order were unable to capitalise and turn it into a really big score. Western Australia finished the day 1/59 with Marcus North on 39*, meaning that his series average is incredibly over 100. Can he go on and bring up a 4th century for the season?
