NSW v Tasmania Matador Cup at Hurstville Oval

Hurstville Oval played host to this 50 overs a side tussle which due to the cancellation of Australia's tour of Bangladesh on security grounds involved several Test players. 

The ground is the home of St George CC whose past players include the legendary Don Bradman, Bill O'Reilly, Ray Lindwall and the recently departed Arthur Morris. The ground is a 10 minute walk from the busy Hurstville station. It has a parkland feel with a cycle track round the perimeter of the ground. Food is provided by 'The Grill on the Hill' and sponsorship is by the barbecue equipment retailer Matador. The MOM is awarded a top of the range barbecue. Match admission was $10 adults (@£5) with half price concessions.

Steve Smith won the toss for NSW and elected to field in hot and sunny conditions [the temperature reached 31 by noon]. Starc and Abbott were bowling accurately but the visitors started well . They reached 93-1 largely due to  Michael who scored 54 before Starc clean bowled him. The only other noteworthy Tasmanian contributions came from James Faulkner and George Bailey who  pushed the score onto 186 before Bailey was well caught low down at mid off by Abbott off Starc for 48. Faulkner was then caught by w/k Nevill off Starc for 51. The innings then folded rapidly and Tasmania finished on 217 all out. Starc performed excellently with 5-39 in 8.3 overs.

During a break in the innings I had a quick word with Ed Cowan who was fielding on the boundary giving him best wishes from Trent Bridge, he replied "Gee I enjoyed my time at Notts !.." 

The dual left handers Nic Maddinson and Ed Cowan opened up for NSW. They had put on 51 when the heavens opened, a tropical thunderstorm followed. On the resumption the fluent partnership continued past the 100 mark until Cowan was bowled by left arm spinner Xavier Doherty for 47. Steve Smith then recklessly charged Doherty first ball and was stumped yards out of his ground by w/k Tim Paine.   Shane Watson then entered the fray . He was badly dropped by Rose at point off Doherty when 17 . There was a further interruption in play due to a shower and the revised target was 193 from 43 overs which was comfortably met by NSW. MOM Nic Maddinson finished with an impressive 118 not out from 118 balls whilst Watson was 25 not out.

NSW gained 4 points from their 8 wickets win to head the Table

The game was watched by Australia's chairman of selectors; Rod Marsh and coach Darren Lehmann

There was a disappointing crowd of no more than an estimated 250

On the same day at the Bankstown Oval near Sydney Notts recruit Dan Christian made 60 not out for Victoria in their win over WA

AM

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