Skip to Content. Skip to Navigation.
Advertisement
Cricket

News

Pride on line for WA, NSW

Pride on line for WA, NSW

02/21/2012 02:57:51 AM

Both Western Australia and New South Wales insist there is plenty to play for in Wednesday's Ryobi One-Day Cup match even though both sides have no hope of making the final.

The Blues and Warriors face off at the WACA Ground in the last match of the home-and-away season, with the two sides fifth and sixth respectively on the table.

WA, who are no chance of avoiding the wooden spoon despite notching their first win of the season against Queensland in early February, are desperate to continue their Bupa Sheffield Shield momentum which sees them top of that table with two games to go.

The hosts enter the game high on confidence after recording their biggest victory by an innings in the Shield over the weekend against NSW but will be without captain Marcus North, who will miss the rest of the season with a finger injury, and deputy Adam Voges (shoulder).

The absence of North and Voges leaves Shaun Marsh to take the captaincy for the first time, while the top-order batsman will also be looking for plenty of runs to help his chances of keeping his spot in the Test team.

"It gives me an opportunity to show my leadership skills," Marsh said.

"I think I'm a strong leader and I'm looking forward to taking charge of the young guys. It's just a back-up role to Northy and Vogesy but one day I'd like to captain WA full-time."

"We've got great momentum going in the Shield form and we want to continue that into one-day cricket."

Paceman Nathan Rimmington has been rested for the Warriors, with batsmen Wes Robinson and Craig Simmons and young quick Matt Dixon coming into their team.

The Blues are out of the running in both competitions but are desperate to restore pride after their humbling Shield loss to WA.

Several of their Australian players under-performed in that game and the likes of Brad Haddin, who suffered a pair of ducks, Trent Copeland and Usman Khawaja will be desperate to put in better performances.

"We know the skill and calibre that we've got in this group, but it means stuff all unless we can produce the goods," Blues captain Stephen O'Keefe said.

NSW could finish as high as third if they earn a bonus point victory and significantly boost their net run-rate.

 
Photograph Copyright : Getty Images

You Might Also Like

Bushrangers close in
Bushrangers close in
The Victorian Bushrangers are relentlessly working their way towards outright victory inside three days in their Sheffield Shield clash ...
 
 
 
 

Most Read Articles

Melbourne Origin 'an insult'
Melbourne Origin 'an insult'
League
05/23/2012 04:10:01 AM
Angry NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell has labelled the decision to stage Origin I in ...
 
 
Carney the ace up NSW's sleeve
League
05/22/2012 09:40:18 PM
 
Wests Tigers sign forwards pair
League
05/23/2012 03:06:16 AM
 
Hayes still hungry for flag
AFL
05/23/2012 04:32:28 AM
 
Sheedy holds no grudges
AFL
05/23/2012 05:33:26 AM
 
Drogba confirms Chelsea exit
Football
05/22/2012 06:49:21 PM
 
Tomic progresses in Nice
Tennis
05/22/2012 09:47:16 PM
 
Matthew Kemp calls it quits
Football
05/23/2012 03:24:39 AM
 
 
 

Fantasy IPL: Best Players

Your Say

Our Say

Clarke douses the doubters
Clarke douses the doubters
Dejan Kalinic
Australia captain Michael Clarke has well and truly silenced the critics who questioned ...more