Paul Wilson's Postcards

WEDNESDAY 28 FEBRUARY 2001
Frustration, disappointment and disbelief: Paul Wilson on the end of South Australia's one-day season

Frustration, disappointment and even disbelief are good ways of describing the mixed emotions Southern Redbacks fans and players felt after what might have been in the Mercantile Mutual Cup competition. After promising so much in the early rounds, we committed cricket suicide in losing so badly to the Bulls in front of our home crowd and dropping the pivotal game in Devonport against the Tigers.

All credit goes to the Blues who played so well in the Final on the back of a masterful innings from the one day genius, Michael Bevan, and great captaincy from Shane Lee. For us, seeing the end result left a few people asking themselves how that result could come about after we had beaten NSW twice during the year - including a full strength Blues outfit in November.

Our final minor round game was a must-win match to give us any chance at contesting the Final in Perth. The opponents were the Bushrangers who had come into great form recently with back to back wins against the Bulls. A bonus for the Reds was the return of our captain, Darren Lehmann, from national duty and, although he unfortunately lost the toss, we got to bowl first on a 9:30 am Adelaide Oval wicket. Early starts in Adelaide can often advantage the bowling team with morning dew becoming a factor.

However, Arnberger and Elliot set about building a big score until Arnie and then Brad Hodge fell in quick succession to leave the visitors 2/36 after nine overs. Dart and Elliot saw the Vics to 96 when Dart fell for 27 but worse was to come for the Reds with the appearance of Ian Harvey. He and Elliot put on 103 runs at a tick over nine runs an over to leave us in real danger of chasing a massive total. But both batters fell in the same over and Lehmann (3/25) came on to bowl his spinners to great effect to finally restrict the Vics to 9/277.

With support from Deitz (44), Blewett (39), and Davies (56), Boof proceeded to play a most magnificent captain's knock of 119 not out off eighty-eight balls to see us home in the forty-eighth over and still have a chance of contesting the MMC Final. Darren's innings finished a remarkable minor series personally, in which he compiled over 500 runs at an average and strike rate of over 100!! This once again showed the true ability of a player who consistently produces performances of the highest quality.

In a way our win took the wind out of the Tigers' sails for their match the next day against the Blues, one in which we needed them to win if we were to advance to the Final. Relying on someone else to win was not ideal and just highlighted our failings in games eight and nine of our campaign. Subsequently, NSW went on to win that match and ultimately the Final in Perth to show to everyone that once you make a Final anything can happen.

The only way we could erase our disappointment in the MMC was to turn our attentions to the remaining matches of the Pura Cup, starting in Adelaide against the Bushrangers. This time Boof won the toss and took first use of a good batting strip. Our innings was dominated by a great century from Greg Blewett (117) and support roles from Fitzy and Chris Davies who both scored fifties. Unfortunately for Chris, his innings ended on a sad note when he damaged his knee/hamstring while attempting a run. This injury has ended his season just when good form was coming his way. We wish him all the best for a speedy recovery.

In reply, the Vics were in trouble at 6/222 but a revival lead by Paul Reiffel (34) and Ian Harvey (87) got them perilously close to first innings points. This was until four late wickets to Mark Harrity got us the two points by a margin of four runs. Our second innings was a disaster in the end. After being 2/128 the Reds were dismissed for 186 on the final morning to leave the visitors a target of 191 to win. Blewy followed his first innings century with 95 in the second. Boof compiled 42 but the rest of us were in a sorry state of affairs.

Solid knocks from Mott and Hodge helped Klinger (66 no) see the Vics home and collect six valuable points in the process, something we could not afford to let happen. With the game on the line, experienced players such as Harvey (4/19) and Reiffel (2 wickets) came to the fore and unfortunately no one was there to help Blewy compile a decent lead to bowl at.

Now, with the Warriors to meet this week in Perth, new players such as Cameron Borgas, Ben Higgins, Nathan Adcock, Paul Rofe, Luke Williams and Mike Smith have been given a chance to perform at domestic level. From all of us in the Redbacks squad we wish them all the best over the four days in WA.

Personally, my season is now finished due to a persistent ankle injury which requires surgery. This has brought an anticlimax to my campaign when I was looking for a big finish to the season and a possible Ashes berth if all went well for me. Injuries are part and parcel of fast bowling but to have played at less than 100% for all of the season has been totally frustrating and left me with a few questions to be answered. I have prided myself on my physical and mental preparation over the past couple of seasons and this abrupt end to my year is going to be a bitter pill to swallow for a while.

With three games to go for the Redbacks a spot in the Pura Cup Final is still possible, so fingers crossed for the next time I speak to you.

Blocker.

More Postcards 14 February 2001 Paul Wilson on the Redbacks' sudden loss of momentum 3 February 2001 Hot weather and hot cricket: Paul Wilson on the Redbacks' January progress