Paul Wilson's Postcards

THURSDAY 15 MARCH 2001
One door closes as another opens: Paul Wilson on times of change in Adelaide

When one door closes another one opens, so they say. After a number of injuries and selection decisions, the Redbacks took on a new look for the next two Pura Cup games against the Warriors and the Bulls. With a berth in the Final still a mathematical possibility, wins in these two games were vital to giving us any chance of playing in the decider.

Our change of line-up saw Chris Davies, David Fitzgerald, Mick Miller and myself out with injury plus Peter McIntyre and Jeff Vaughan omitted. This allowed Luke Williams, Cameron Borgas, Ben Higgins and Paul Rofe to make their debuts and Mike Smith and Nathan Adcock to return to the team.

In Perth, the boys were confronted with hot temperatures and a rampant Simon Katich on the first day. Katich ended up with 228 not out and allowed the Warriors to declare close to 500. Blewy was once again the impressive performer for the Reds with a century in the first innings but this was not enough to see us avoid the follow-on total. However, Tom Moody decided to bat again and eventually set up a wonderful last day's cricket by setting the Reds 380 to win.

Contributions from Deitz, Blewett, Lehmann, Higgins and cameos from Smith and Rofe were not enough in the end with the Warriors victors by forty runs.

Some encouraging signs shown by some of the new boys gave the team considerable confidence going into the big test against the top of the table Bulls in Adelaide.

After winning the toss, SA decided to bat but, after another wonderful knock from Blewy (88), the rest of the team could only add another 127 runs to his total to be bowled out for 215. The Bulls in reply were professional and methodical in their approach to the tasks of gaining first innings points and building a healthy lead.

When the declaration finally came in the last session of the third day, the visitors had a lead of 260. Stuart Law and Clinton Perren scored centuries and Jimmy Maher (47), Andy Bichel (61) and Adam Dale (48 not out) all chipped in.

Batting a second time, the Reds were in great shape at lunch on the last day with the score 2/140. Mike Smith, promoted to number three, batted beautifully until being dismissed by Symonds for 76. Besides Boof (45), and a late flurry from Nathan Adcock (48), we struggled to an overall lead of twenty runs which was duly knocked off by the Bulls' openers.

Tasmania is the last stop for the Redbacks of 2000-01 and following the Tigers' back-to-back wins over the Vics and the Warriors, this game carries even greater significance because we will be playing for the 'wooden spoon'.

Let's hope the boys can put it together and come home with the six points from a venue which has been reasonably nice to us in recent times.

On a personal note, I had surgery on my left ankle on 5 March and, according to my surgeon, the operation was successful. The muscle leading to my big toe was inflamed to the point that it was twice the normal size. So, after some delicate trimming and further 'cleaning' of the ankle joint, I was back at home recuperating and spending time with my beautiful wife, who just happens to be thirty-five weeks pregnant, so we are making a very funny looking couple at the moment!

I hope you are all well and will speak to you soon.

Blocker

More Postcards WEDNESDAY 28 FEBRUARY 2001 Frustration, disappointment and disbelief: Paul Wilson on the end of South Australia's one-day season 14 February 2001 Paul Wilson on the Redbacks' sudden loss of momentum