Victoria v Western Australia, Pura Cup, Melbourne, 2nd day

Heal spins Warriors into strong position

Brydon Coverdale at the MCG

March 2, 2007

Victoria 5 for 192 (Hussey 58, Jewell 53, Heal 3-35) trail Western Australia 8 for 372 dec (Langer 108, North 69, Bandy 53) by 180 runs
Scorecard

Nick Jewell made a gutsy half-century with a sprained ankle © Getty Images

Aaron Heal troubled Victoria with three wickets and gave Western Australia a good chance of taking first-innings points at Melbourne. The home side stumbled to 5 for 192 at stumps as Heal's 3 for 35 left much work for Michael Klinger, who was on 8, and Andrew McDonald (11 not out).

David Hussey and Nick Jewell each threatened a big score as the Bushrangers tried to overhaul the Warriors' 8 for 372. Hussey was especially fluent, driving superbly and lifting Heal over long on for six. He fell for 58 when he flicked a Ben Edmondson half-volley to Marcus North, who took a spectacular one-handed catch at full stretch at midwicket.

Hussey's dismissal came at the tail end of a disappointing two sessions for Victoria, after Heal removed Lloyd Mash, Rob Quiney and Cameron White. Mash prodded to silly mid off, Quiney lazily drove back to the bowler and White played on with a poor attempt to punch through the off side.

Jewell made a determined 141-ball 53 before he became the first victim for Danny McLauchlan, the left-arm fast bowler making his debut. Jewell, who was restricted by a sprained right ankle, miscued a pull that fell into the hands of Heal at mid on.

Jewell sustained the injury when he took a terrific catch in the outfield shortly before Western Australia declared. Running back towards the boundary from mid off, Jewell made significant ground to take the high chance and landed just short of the rope with an army-roll but came up clearly in pain.

His effort ended David Bandy's innings of 53, as the Warriors comfortably added 108 to their overnight score. They finished just before lunch and no Victorian took more than two wickets as the Bushrangers once again struggled to finish off the tail, which has been a recurring problem all year.

Brydon Coverdale is an editorial assistant of Cricinfo

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