Victorians Reign Supreme

It was the Adelaide Oval, over 17,000 in attendance; Underdogs Southern Australian Redbacks were up against the mighty Victorian Bushrangers. Victoria were eyeing the KFC Big Bash trophy for the 4th time in 5 years, whereas the Redbacks were determined to end their 15 years of trophy drought.

After winning the toss Victoria stand in captain David Hussey decided to bat first. After a slow start which saw the first maiden of the entire tournament being bowled by Mark Cleary, Opener Aaron Flinch exploded with an array of boundaries, lynching one Dan Christian over for 5 boundaries. The dangerous Brad Hodge had tough time negotiating the Redback bowling attack and in an attempt to drive a full toss delivery got out caught and bowl by Aaron O’Brien. Next batsmen Rob Quiney looked to give more of the strike to his aggressive partner Flinch who raised to 47 of 34 before being holed out to Dan Christian patrolling long off of the bowling of Keiron Pollard.

South Australians pulled themselves back into the game with quick wickets of David Hussey and Mathew Wade. It was up to the experienced Andrew McDonald and Aiden Bilzzard to create havoc in the death overs and havoc did they create, Aiden Bilzzard’sTempestuous 42 of 19 balls ensured that his team finished at a commanding position of 166 for 7.

Redbacks had an uphill task and with Dirk Nannes producing a gem of an inswinger to trap Captain Grahan Manou LBW in the very first ball, the target seemed improbable. Redbacks later slumped to total disarray as they were reduced to 14 for 3 in 4 overs.Dirk Nannes and James Pattinson gave away nothing. By the time James Hastings was introduced into the attack Redback’s 2 most successful players were on the crease Keiron Pollard and Mark Cosgrove. Both of them played sensibly and tried to consolidate the innings by regularly rotating the strike. A spark of hope was ignited into the home crowd when Pollard milked 18 runs of one John Holland over. But the joy didn’t last long as Mark Cosgrove was bowled by McDonald and in the same over when Keiron Pollard lost his wicket to a stunner of catch by skipper Hussey all hopes of revival were lost. There was no looking back for Victoria from there on as Redbacks were left with 118 for 9 after 20 overs. Dirk Nannes returning with the tournament best figures of 4-1-8-1. Aiden Blizzard was adjudged Man of the Match for his quick fire 42.Victorians reigned supreme for the 4th time in 5 years, establishing themselves as the best T Twenty outfit of Australia.