KFC Twenty20, 2007-08

Warriors set up home final against Victoria

Cricinfo staff

January 10, 2008

	David Hussey was again Victoria's star, helping them into the final with 50 © Getty Images

Western Australia 4 for 160 (Marsh 67, Ronchi 52, S Smith 3-18) beat New South Wales 7 for 159 by 6 wickets
Scorecard
Luke Ronchi and Shaun Marsh blasted Western Australia to a home final, both smashing half-centuries to take them to a comfortable six-wicket win against New South Wales in Sydney. Ronchi faced 26 balls in his 52, while Marsh took 50 for his 67, as Western Australia chased down the target of 160 with 15 balls to spare. That was despite three late wickets from Steven Smith, who also top scored for the Blues with 33.

Brett Dorey and Aaron Heal both took two wickets, but the home side kept fighting throughout their innings. It was, however, not enough and the Warriors, as one of the top two, have now secured their chance to not only go for the prize, which Adam Voges said earlier this week was important as they have lacked silverware of late, but also to go forth to the Twenty20 Champions League where US$2 million is up for grabs. "I'd be lying if I said that wasn't motivation," Voges said earlier this week. He and his side are one step closer now.

Victoria 9 for 142 (Hussey 50, Tait 3-28) beat South Australia 137 (D Harris 48, Christian 40) by five runs
Scorecard
Victoria pulled off a victory against South Australia in a tight encounter in Adelaide, ensuring their place in the final for the third year running, and a chance to defend their title. Clinton McKay had the honours of the last over, and Daniel Christian took his first ball for six, leaving eight needed off five. He sneaked two the next ball with a push to space at mid-on. But with six needed from the last four he holed out at long-off, the half-centurion David Hussey fittingly taking the catch.

Hussey had rescued Victoria from 4 for 26 with a thrilling 50 from 37 balls to lift them to a par of 9 for 142 on a slowish track. It ultimately proved the difference as the Redbacks, though starting well enough, just couldn't push them past the line. Daniel Harris set a platform with 48 before being trapped plumb by Dirk Nannes, then Christian took them close with 40.

Shaun Tait, meanwhile, had continued with his fire displayed on Tuesday, trapping Cameron White lbw in between ripping out the stumps of Aiden Blizzard and Andrew McDonald like an evil dentist. But it was Victoria who extracted the most pleasure and will now head to the WACA on Sunday.

Queensland 1 for 177 (Watson 69*, Hopes 60) beat Tasmania 8 for 174 by nine wickets
Scorecard
Tasmania slipped from top spot and out of contention for the final thanks to a convincing win for Queensland in Brisbane. Luke Butterworth's 36 was the top score in a Tasmania innings where most contributed, and crucially when they lost wickets they did not lose momentum as they reached 8 for 174. It wasn't enough, though, as James Hopes wreaked havoc with 60 off 29 balls, before being scalped by Butterworth, and then Jimmy Maher (35*) and Shane Watson (69* off 32 with two fours and seven sixes) pummelled them home, quashing Tasmania's dreams along the way.

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