Orange Report IV - vs. NSW



High Fives all round, as ten Doeschate gets some much needed form back.



The Ryan ten Doeschate roadshow made its way into Sydney, with Tasmania taking on a star studded NSW line-up including Dave Warner, Khawaja & Hughes. It has been a horror run for Ryan ten Doeschate of late, struggling with both ball & bat, had a few of us thinking we may have to leave this journey early.

The sun was out, George Bailey winning toss did what all good captains do and chose to bat first. And the choice was a good one as Tasmania keeping the runs ticking in the early over’s. Debutant Cummins had a great first day in NSW colours collecting both Lockyear and Wells in his first over. Bailey and Birt didn’t allow this set back to slow the run rate. Tasmania reaching 50/2 and the end of 6 over’s, this pace continued until the loss of Bailey for 27 leaving Tasmania 83/3, and Ryan ten Doeschate coming to make amends for his recent lack of form.

The Cricket Observer held its breath as he took a rising ball to the body, working a leg bye out of the situation, and he was off the mark. Taking a back seat to Birt, Doeschate worked singles down to third man. Building confidence with each ball ten Doeschate had enough of the little stuff, picking up a wide half volley from Coyte he square drove though backward point for a blistering 4. The Dutchman continued the next few over’s to build a partnership with Birt as the two of them worked the strike, Birt gaining a life when Warner dropped him at long off.

Moving into the 15th over Tasmania 109/3 and looking to add more, Ryan came alive, pouncing on a length ball from Copeland to dispatch him over the sight screen for 6, proving it wasn’t a fluke he sliced Copeland just missing out and settling for 4 runs. Henriques would in the end get the better of him, as he tried swinging for mid wicket, only to balloon and edge for a simple catch. A much improved innings from our Dutch superstar 25 from 19 balls, a few boundaries, and a middle order partnership with Birt of 49 runs. The Tigers finish 6 for 152. The Blues bowled well to restrict Tasmania to just 69 runs off the last 10 overs. Pat Cummins, a 17-year-old on debut, took 3 for 29. But the veteran Stuart Clark was also brilliant taking 1 for 23 from 4, and Scott Coyte bounced back from a hammering against WA to finish with 0 for 22. Travis Birt top scored with 47 on a tough wicket. Leaving NSW with a tricky target to chase.

NSW with its strong batting line-up are a tough task, and they showed why 41/0 at the end of 5 overs. ten Doeschate was thrown the ball to try and break the partnership of Warner & Khawaja. His luck with the bat may have improved with the break, but his bowling was a gift to the batsman, Warner hitting him for a 4 & 6 on consecutive balls, Khawaja didn’t hold back either adding to his pain with a no ball slapped for 4. He finished 1-0-16-0, and that again was his night, Bailey going with Naved to help close out the game.

NSW needing 18 off the last over and could only manage 15. Rana Naved kept his nerve when all around him were losing theirs. A dropped catch, missed run out, and tough wide call saw five needed off the last ball. But Ben Rohrer could only manage two and the Tigers go to the top of the table. They weathered the early storm and held their nerve at the end. Tasmania moved to top the Big Bash table with one game remaining against SA.

A better return from our unofficial man, 25 with the bat saw him really contribute to the Tasmanian win. The next match is against South Australia in 5 days time. Check back to the Cricket Observer for further reports, for past reports click on The Orange Zone.