Queensland v Western Australia, Pura Cup, Brisbane, 4th day

Warriors deny Kasprowicz a fairytale finish

Cricinfo staff

February 14, 2008

Western Australia 2 for 115 dec and 9 for 278 (Rogers 116, Davis 51, Kasprowicz 3-57, Simpson 3-60) drew with Queensland 9 for 310 dec and 8 for 156 dec
Scorecard

Chris Rogers, who had a prolific 2006-07, scored his second century of 2007-08 © Getty Images

Queensland's most prolific wicket-taker, Michael Kasprowicz, almost bowled the Bulls to victory in his final first-class match but the last Western Australia pair hung on for a nail-biting draw at the Gabba. Queensland had 13 overs to remove Steve Magoffin or Ben Edmondson but the tail-enders survived for nearly an hour to deny the Bulls their first win of the season.

The result also means Western Australia face an almost impossible task to reach the Pura Cup final, requiring outright victories in both their remaining games. They also have to rely on either New South Wales or Victoria putting in disastrous performances and claiming no points from the upcoming matches.

The Warriors were given a chance to win when Queensland declared at 8 for 156, setting them 352 from 79 overs, and Chris Rogers' second century of the season brightened their day. He made 116 and his opening partner Liam Davis scored 51, and when Western Australia entered the final session needing 184 from 35 overs they still had seven wickets in hand.

Chris Simpson removed three batsmen including Rogers, and Kasprowicz inspired his team with three more as the Warriors suffered a late collapse of 6 for 24, leaving the No. 9 Magoffin and the No. 11 Edmondson to try and salvage a draw. But Kasprowicz could not secure a fairytale finish by getting rid of either man, both of whom originally came from Queensland as well, and they held on with a gutsy 45-run partnership.

Magoffin finished unbeaten on 33 from his 73-minute stay, to add to the 3 for 28 he picked up earlier in the day. Edmondson was on 11 and earned the Man-of-the-Match award following his seven-wicket haul in the first innings.

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