Hussey, Moss lead Bushrangers to victory

Swashbuckling half-centuries from David Hussey and Jon Moss have guided Victoria to an eight wicket bonus-point victory over Western Australia at the Junction Oval today.

Chasing down WA's 6-247, the Bushrangers completed the chase with ease, finishing on 2-251 after just 36.2 overs and earning the bonus point in the process.

An extremely small crowd of just 500 gathered to watch the game, but all patrons who made the trek out to St Kilda would have come home satisfied, after seeing some of Australia's most exciting cricketers do battle in a runfest which saw over 500 runs scored.

The Warriors opened their innings with the dynamic duo of Justin Langer and Adam Gilchrist. The pair made a good start, with Gilchrist hitting what was expected to be the first of many sixes, with a whack over midwicket.

But Gilchrist was soon on his way lofting a drive to mid-off where he was comfortably caught by Brad Hodge off the bowling of ex-Tasmanian Gerard Denton.

Denton continued to wreak havoc when he hit Langer with a fiery bouncer which hit the Test opener hard, and forced him to retire hurt with a fractured rib, on 21.

Marcus North (60) and Damien Martyn (74) combined for a 106 run partnership for the second wicket which set up Western Australia's innings.

Martyn's innings continued his brilliant start to the 2005/06 domestic season whilst North continued to fulfill his potential with another exquisite innings.

However after the partnership was broken, Western Australia collapsed into a heap handing the Vics a perfect chance for victory.

Despite being 2-206 off 43 overs, the Warriors could only manage 41 runs for the loss of four wickets in the last seven overs, to finish their innings on 6-247.

The Bushrangers came out needing 248 to win from 50 overs, at a run rate of just under five, with Michael Klinger and Jon Moss opening the batting.

Klinger and Moss combined for an entertaining 128 run opening stand which set the hosts up for victory, with Moss contributing 76 runs from just 59 deliveries with 11 smoking fours and two towering sixes.

Despite the two quick wickets of Moss and Klinger, Brad Hodge and David Hussey brought the bacon home for the Bushrangers with the pair putting on an un-beaten 118 run stand for the third wicket, not only securing the win but also the bonus point.

After his 76 from 59 balls, Jon Moss took home the ING Man of the Match Award. The Bushrangers have a short break before traveling to Bellerive Oval for their Pura Cup match against Tasmania, starting on Friday.

The Warriors have the luxury of playing at home, hosting the New South Wales Blues at the WACA, with Friday's ING Cup match to be followed by the Pura Cup from next Sunday.

Full scorecard available here.

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