Blues on course to grab points

Redbacks skipper Johan Botha bowls against NSW on day two at Adelaide Oval. Picture: Daniel Kalisz. Source: Daniel Kalisz / Getty Images

STEVE O'Keefe's maiden five-wicket Sheffield Shield haul and stubborn batting put New South Wales on course for crunch first-innings points against South Australia in Adelaide.

Having been recalled for this clash, left-arm spinner O'Keefe (5/89) rocketed to the top of the Shield wicket list with 32 at 21.6 from just eight matches.

However, O'Keefe raised concern with the pink balls on trial saying the Blues' dominance was halted by a ball change after 60 overs.

SA was 5/125 at start of the 60th over when a replacement ball was chosen.

"The ball that we came back out with would have been only about 20 to 25 overs old, which changed the perspective of the game," said O'Keefe.

"The ball was a lot harder, it came onto the bat a lot nicer. It's certainly an issue that has to be looked at to keep the equality of the game going."

The Blues were 4/130 from 50 overs at tea on day two, trailing the Redbacks' first dig 288 by 165 runs.

SA captain Johan Botha, second from left, celebrates with team mates after taking a wicket. Picture: Daniel Kalisz.

Kurtis Patterson was undefeated on 31 while Peter Neville was 7.

The day/night trial has attracted more fans but they were again met with slow scoring.

The Blues progressed at 2.6 per over, struggling for traction against a pink ball that hits like a tennis ball off the bat unless brand new.

"We are finding it does swing a bit early then has got soft and made fluent run scoring hard with a lower, slower track," said SA assistant coach Jeff Vaughan.

SA skipper Johan Botha hit the 30-wicket mark, stopping in-form opener Ryan Carters (65) in his tracks then beating No. 3 Scott Henry (15) all ends up.

Opener Nic Maddinson (1) fell to left-armer Gary Putland (1/10) flailing outside off-stump while Ben Rohrer (7) was knocked over by Kane Richardson (1/15) from around the wicket.

However, it was former skipper O'Keefe who put the visitors in control as they attempted to draw level with SA on 26 points through first-innings victory.

"Any time you have to get five wickets you have to be stoked. SA fought well and Callum Ferguson deserved a century," said O'Keefe who collected a career best 7/35 for Australia A against Sri Lanka in 2010.

Ferguson (97) chopped O'Keefe on to his stumps just three short of his 10th Shield ton chasing quick runs.

No. 5 batsman Ferguson now has 481 runs at 68 from six matches having missed three games on Australian one-day and Australia A duty.

"Ferg was outstanding in our first innings," said Vaughan.

"He was full of discipline and commitment.

"We have been asking him for some big numbers and missed a couple of games so his numbers stack up even better.

"He has worked his backside off in the winter and it is paying dividends now."

Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang

Blues on course to grab points

Dengan url

http://sportlivestyle.blogspot.com/2014/03/blues-on-course-to-grab-points.html

Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya

Blues on course to grab points

namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link

Blues on course to grab points

sebagai sumbernya