Paul Wilson's Postcards

SATURDAY 23 DECEMBER 2000
Paul Wilson on that innings by Greg Blewett

Guts and determination can also often be referred to as grace under pressure, which is more appropriate when describing Greg Blewett's marathon second innings at the Gabba this week. Blewy used all his resources of experience, flair, concentration and sheer batting expertise to compile an unbeaten 260 in a staggering ten-and-a-half hours at the crease. Compared to his normally very high standards, Blewy had been struggling for form early in the season but he put these problems away with a chanceless knock. With him forming the backbone of the Redbacks' innings, this allowed others such as Shane Deitz (century) and Ben Johnson (45) to bat with confidence and assurance to ensure we salvaged a draw in Brisbane to finish an interesting couple of weeks for the boys.

It began in Melbourne with a Pura Cup match at the MCG. After winning the toss we sent the Bushrangers in on a well-grassed wicket. Shortly before stumps we dismissed the Vics for 230 with all our bowlers doing well and proceeded to be no wickets down at stumps on the first day. The batting of Brad Hodge was a highlight; his third successive century for the season. However, a collapse of momentous proportions was to greet us on day two. On the back of some good bowling from Mathew Inness and some poor batting from the Reds, we were back in the sheds for 96 all out and soon back in the field!

Following some more excellent team bowling and spectacular fielding, we were able to restrict the Bushrangers to 251, leaving ourselves with a target of 395 runs to win in about four sessions of play. We set out slowly but surely at achieving the required runs - our plan was to have a final onslaught during the last afternoon with wickets in hand. Unfortunately, the Reds lost wickets at the wrong times and eventually fell seven overs short of a draw and some one hundred runs short of victory. The obvious highlight of our innings was Shane Deitz's maiden first class century which gave us a real chance of victory. All and all, though, this was a disappointing result for the Redbacks considering we won most sessions of play during the game except for the fateful first session on day two.

Improvement time came around quite quickly with another Pura Cup match some four days later in Adelaide against the Tasmanian Tigers. There were two changes to our line up with the recovered Jeff Vaughan (hand) coming in for Chris Davies and former Bulls all-rounder, Mick Miller, replacing the old crock, yours truly (ankle).

After once again winning the toss, the Redbacks batted first on a typical Adelaide Oval wicket. Just into the second day, we were dismissed for 314 with Ben Targett taking a very respectable 5/62 for the Tigers. Our total was disappointing due to a few players getting starts but not capitalising on their work. However, this was to be the highest team innings of the match - very unusual for Adelaide.Following some great bowling and fielding, the visiting team decided to declare at 9/159, hoping to be asked to bat again. But our captain, Darren Lehmann, decided not to enforce the follow-on with a view to bowling last on a wearing wicket. Thanks to a second consecutive half century from Jeff Vaughan and able support from Greg Blewett, the Redbacks were able to post 179 to give the Tigers a run chase of 337. We soon had the top order in trouble - with the score reaching 5/50 at one stage on the third afternoon. A mini-fightback was being enacted by Kremerskothen, Hills and Saker on the final morning but it wasn't enough and the Tigers' innings ended on 175, with them some 161 runs in arrears. Veteran leg spinner, Peter McIntyre, ended up with four wickets and Mark Harrity took three.

Some further exciting news came during the Tigers match with the selection of Brett Swain in the Prime Minister's XI to play West Indies in Canberra. All Redbacks players and supporters were thrilled to see one of our unsung players rewarded for his consistent ability to take regular wickets at a cheap rate. Brett has created respect Australia wide for his exciting left arm swing bowling and this could be the stepping stone for bigger things to come.

With the end of year 2000 fast approaching the Redbacks were faced with a MMC contest against a very good Western Warriors side in Adelaide the following weekend. The early starts in Adelaide (9.30am local time) puts extra importance on the fall of the coin before play due to the morning dew. For us, it was the negative result and the job of seeing off the initial few overs without loss became very difficult. What eventuated was a more than respectable 260 after our fifty overs. The stars, for different reasons, were David Fitzgerald with the fantastic century that he compiled over the course of the entire innings and Darren Lehmann for his dynamic half-century, the quickest of the summer so far.

Tight contests have become second nature for the Reds this season and this game was no exception. The match ebbed and flowed throughout; the visitors looked in trouble needing eight runs an over at the halfway mark but they had wickets in hand. Then Adam Gilchrist came and went for 46 off thirty-three balls to edge the Warriors closer. All the while, Justin Langer was playing the perfect anchor role, ala David Fitzgerald at the other end. Suddenly, they only needed a run a ball from their last six overs with wickets in hand and things did not look great! In steps Greg Blewett, the bowler, with 4/35 from five overs at "the death" to enable the Reds to sneak home by 2 runs on the last ball - PHEW!

Which brings us back to Greg Blewett's match at the Gabba. We won the toss and sent the home side in on a pitch still sweating as a result of overnight rain. The ball was moving all over the place except for the stumps or the edge of the bat unfortunately. A lack of patience and continued pressure cost us dearly and the Bulls ended up with 378 in their first innings.

Our batting troubles continued, though, when it was our turn to visit the crease. I joined my captain when the score was 8-57 and things didn't look great. Fortunately Darren decided to take some action and, to our fifty-four run partnership, I contributed six! We were all out soon after for 126 and asked to bat again, some 252 runs behind. Unfortunately the Reds were soon 1/1 and deeper in trouble but in walked Greg Blewett to join Shane Deitz. Our next wicket fell at 231 just before stumps with Deitzy gone for 106, his second century from three games. Ben Johnson was dismissed for 45 just before lunch and Jeff Vaughan (24) was out just before tea bringing Darren Lehmann to the crease.

Needless to say the Redbacks salvaged a draw from the game. While our second innings unfolded, there was one constant besides the Bulls continuing to charge in and that was Greg Blewett - with a stay of 629 minutes and 524 balls. He came to the wicket at 11.00am on Sunday and was still there at 4.20pm on Monday - quite remarkable. I think he faced more balls in his innings than I have faced in my entire career!!Blewy's effort truly did represent grace under pressure and it will be a great spur for bigger and better things for the Redbacks in 2001.

To everyone, Merry Christmas and a New Year that brings all that you wish for.

Blocker.

More Postcards 22 November 2000 Heartbreak and excitement: Paul Wilson on the Redbacks' rarely dull start to the season 14 October 2000 Paul Wilson sees signs of good things ahead from the Redbacks' opening to the season