Victoria v Queensland, Pura Cup, Melbourne, 3rd day

Bushrangers overcome wobbles in outright success

Cricinfo staff

March 9, 2008

Victoria 9 for 322 dec & 4 for 76 beat Queensland 191 & 205 (Broad 107) by six wickets
Scorecard
Points table

	Clint McKay's three wickets, including Aaron Nye first ball, were essential to Victoria dismissing Queensland for 205 © Getty Images

Victoria experienced a few nervous moments before capping a fine preparation for Saturday's Pura Cup final with a six-wicket victory over Queensland, who will finish with the wooden spoon. Ryan Broad's century made sure the Bushrangers had to bat again and the target of 75 was looking uncomfortable when Scott Brant and Grant Sullivan dropped them to 4 for 34.

Cameron White found a willing partner in Andrew McDonald and there were no further stumbles. White added 28 while McDonald got 13 to seal the three-day success.

Broad's 107, which included a six to bring up his century and another next ball before he was bowled by Bryce McGain, went with his 75 in the first innings, but he did not receive much assistance from his team-mates. Queensland started the day 119 behind and the task to stay competitive became even tougher when they lost five wickets before lunch. Clint McKay started the problems when he removed Nick Kruger (11) and Aaron Nye in consecutive deliveries - the hat-trick effort to Shane Watson was a no-ball.

Watson skipped to 32 before falling to a diving take from Adam Crosthwaite and McDonald added to the damage when he captured the lbws of Nathan Reardon (1) and the captain Chris Simpson (0). The Bulls were 5 for 71 and struggling to force a second Bushrangers' innings.

Broad achieved that with help from Chris Hartley's 17 and Daniel Doran's 23, but when the tail exited quickly Queensland did not have much to defend. McKay grabbed 3 for 69 while McDonald and McGain earned two wickets each in a strong warm-up for the final against New South Wales in Sydney.

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