Maher ton has Vics on the ropes

A swashbuckling unbeaten century by Queensland skipper Jimmy Maher has placed his side firmly in the box seat at stumps on the second day of the Pura Cup Final at the Gabba.

Maher, who played the last of his 26 ODI’s for Australia in 2003, played a true captains knock, never shirking an issue in taking on all the Bushrangers could muster in posting 159 from only 249 balls, a menace to the very end of the day.

The very thought of Maher’s omnipresent smile greeting them tomorrow morning will give the Victorian bowlers a sleepless night, not one player able to snag a wicket all day – the only Bull dismissal stemming from a Jonathon Moss run out.

The Bushrangers, yet to defeat the home side this summer, were vying for the ascendancy at stumps last evening, but lost its way early in the morning when the tireless Bull paceman Andy Bichel tore through its middle order.

Bichel, the Pura Cup player of the season, snagged two vital wickets late last night and returned fire in the second over of the day, Vics nightwatchman Mick Lewis nudging into the gloves of a gleeful Chris Hartley, sent packing for seven.

The very next ball perhaps took the honours as the delivery of the day, Bichel uprooting the timber of Moss – on his way back to the pavilion for a golden duck – the Bushrangers hopes of a first innings lead fast evaporating, the score 7/283.

Accomplished wicketkeeper Nathan Pilon teamed well with the classy David Hussey, who, along with Brad Hodge and Nick Jewel, stapled the Victorian innings with 72 not out, battled on bravely, adding 51 for the eighth wicket before part-time Australian quick Mitchell Johnson ended the stand, trapping Pilon LBW for 12.

The Bushrangers tail fell cheaply, both Harwood and Nannes victims of Johnson’s extra pace. Hussey continued to fight on, weathering the Bichel storm earlier in the day before reaping the rewards – a pressure innings which run just short of a run a ball.

Bichel and Johnson shared the bowling figures, the former destroying the middle order with 4/80, while Johnson wrapped proceedings up with 4/55 next to his name.

On the perfect pitch for a quality game of cricket, Victoria needed to make every post a winner in their assault on the Queensland line-up, but failed miserably.

Together with youngster Lachlan Stevens, Maher took the sting out of the Victorian attack, thrashing bowlers the calibre of Lewis and Harwood to the fence with ease.

Not to be outdone, Stevens played his role, scoring a fluent 66 before run out after a mix-up with Maher, Pilon only too happy to end Stevens’ 118 ball stay at the crease, whipping the bails off in a flash, receiving the ball from Moss in the covers.

With the score at 1/157, there was no better time for Maher’s regular partner in crime – former Australian Test batsman Martin Love – to arrive out in the middle.

With a Victorian side flagging out in the field, Love and Maher continued the barrage, the former hitting his best form for some time.

Love, playing in his 10th Pura Cup Final, reminded all onlookers how good he is, reaching a smooth 62 not out at stumps, along with Maher taking the Bulls to 1/301, only 44 runs off a field innings lead – the side only requiring a draw in order to take home the trophy.

Victoria will look to hit back hard from ball one tomorrow morning, but with the likes of Clinton Perrin, Shane Watson, James Hopes and Bichel to come, will need to make early inroads, or else the cup will be as good as Queensland’s.

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