WESTERN Zone players - Tim Cox, Declan Hoare and Pat Rosser - have helped the New South Wales Bush Blues to an overall win in the Australian Country Cricket Championships that finished in Geelong, Victoria yesterday.
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It was the Blues’ first win in the titles since 2007-08 and this time they finished with just one loss, against Victoria.
All three played starring roles in the final game yesterday against East Asia Pacific. Rosser, the Parkes all-rounder, helped himself to 67 runs with five 6s and two 4s in a Blues innings of 6-258 from a maximum 50 overs.
Rosser’s teammates Simon Moore (Newcastle) top scored with 81 not (6 4s) while Pat Darwen (Newcastle) scored 50 with eight 4s and a six.
For the first time in the carnival yesterday, fast bowlers Cox (Dubbo) and Hoare (Nyngan) played in the same side and both put in excellent performances.
Cox finished his 10 overs with 3-24 after opening the bowling, and Hoare had 2-23 from six with the opposition all out for 184 in 44 overs.
Despite their loss to Victoria, the Blues had the title wrapped up before the last game. But according to team manager Ron Hancock the players were disappointed they didn’t go through unbeaten.
“The strong point about the players in this side was their commitment to looking after themselves. Its been a tough two weeks of cricket against some very good sides,” Hancock said.
“Country players are not used to playing this much cricket and for them to get through they had to look after themselves.
“I could not have received anything more from the players.
“Sure, they were disappointed they didn’t beat Victoria, but that made them more determined in the last game.
“Everyone has contributed to this win and they deserved that success.”
Against Victoria, NSW managed 200 all out from their maximum 50 overs but the bowlers couldn’t protect that figure and the home state finished five wickets down for 201 after 47.3 overs.
Tim Cox was rested for the game but Declan Hoare - after playing in the two twenty20 games - was given his first chance and he took his first carnival wicket and finished with 1-23 from 5.3 overs.
The decision by captain Jeff Cook to open with Pat Rosser didn’t realise when he was out for nine from 11 overs and the loss of Cook for one didn’t help the situation.
Opener Graeme Batty (Illawarra) made a patient 33 from 71 balls and Pat Darwen got a start with 18 from 38. Brendan Rixon the batsman from Tamworth top scored with 69 from 90 while Kaine Harmsworth (Newcastle) hit out for 27 from 15 balls before he was run out.
Best NSW partnership for the day was 56 for the fifth wicket between Rixon and Goodwin.
They took the score from 5-99 to 155 before Goodwin was out.
