QLD rocks Victoria

Queensland quick Billy Stanlake ripped through the Victorian middle-order on his way to career-best figures of 6-30 as he restricted his opponents to just 109 on a pitch that flattened out as the day went on.

James Lidgett continued his good form with a fighting 27 at the top of the order, while gloveman Rob Salerni chimed in with 23 on a day the Victorian batsmen would otherwise forget.

Coach Jarrod Loughman expressed his disappointment in the batting display, but paid full credit to the Queensland attack.

“We just didn’t make enough runs,” Loughman said.

“After the rain, the prerogative was always going to be on us to set a target and our boys didn’t handle the conditions well.

“Stanlake was outstanding and James Bazley (3-20) mopped up our tail so they were in the box seat.”

While the Victorian bowlers toiled hard, there was little reward with Queensland passing the total only two wickets down, as they used improving conditions to full effect.

Ben McDermott enhanced his reputation as one of Australia’s brightest batting prospects, making 91 in an innings that included five sixes.

He received terrific support from Bazley, who scored 62 from 34 balls as he plundered the Victorian attack to all parts of Queensborough Oval.

Ben Ashkenazi was again the pick of the bowlers with 1-9 off 12 overs, while Ejaaz Alavi, Matt Fotia and Matt Short all chipped in with wickets.

“I don’t think we bowled that badly, but you don’t give yourself much of a chance when you’re bowled out for such a low total,” Loughman said.

“It was the first time in the tournament we didn’t take wickets with the new ball, but there wasn’t much else we could do to be honest.”

After declaring their innings closed at 6-286, Jack Rudd (10*) and Commonwealth Bank Bushrangers rookie Matt Short (42*) were able to arrest some momentum to take into Victoria’s next match against New South Wales with an impressive 55-run partnership before the day’s end.

Loughman expressed the importance of the partnership, despite the loss.

“It was really important for the boys because they haven’t seen much time in the middle,” Loughman said.

“It was a really good to see those two boys bat with some freedom and hopefully they can take it into their next game.”

With two games left, Victoria will need to win both their games and rely on other results to win the Championship.

Loughman however, remains focused solely on his troops.

“We can only control what we do on the field,” Loughman said.

“We just want our boys to perform well and the rest will take care of itself.”

Victoria’s match against New South Wales will commence tomorrow at 10am. Follow regular updates on Cricket Victoria Pathway’s Facebook page or on Twitter at @CVPathway.

To see a full scorecard from the Under-19 National Championships, click here.