Smith, Haddin too good for Bulls

Shield ... Brad Haddin and Steve Smith scored half-centuries against Queensland. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

Twin half centuries from Test discards Steve Smith and Brad Haddin have steered NSW to a 48-run lead at stumps on day two of the Sheffield Shield clash with Queensland at Manuka Oval.

Haddin, dumped from the current three-Test series against South Africa for 24-year-old Matthew Wade, and Smith, who has played just five Tests, put on 115 for the fifth wicket to ensure NSW grabbed first innings points on Wednesday.

Smith went to stumps on 90 not out, with a sixth first class century within his grasp as the Blues finished the day on 6-291.

Haddin fell short of his third Shield ton of the summer when the 35-year-old was caught at deep mid wicket off Nathan Hauritz (2-71) for a stylish 73.

Haddin said last week he was in the form of his career - and he's backing that statement up with runs.

This latest half century follows back-to-back centuries in his previous two first class outings - an unbeaten 108 against Victoria last week and 114 against Tasmania in September.

It is sure to keep the heat on Wade, who is having a difficult series against the Proteas with scores of 19, 6 and 18 combined with mixed performances behind the stumps.

As part of his impressive half-century, Smith also hit the runs which put the Blues in front from a hook shot off Ben Cutting (1-76), while skipper Stephen O'Keefe joined him before stumps and reached 17 not out.

NSW will be eager to drive home their advantage and play for an outright victory which would revive their season.

Haddin and Smith dragged the Blues out of a potentially sticky situation after they dropped the wickets of Peter Nevill (55) and Moises Henriques (5) in quick succession, to Luke Feldman and Gannon.

Nevill had laid the platform for the Blues, hitting eight fours while putting on 74 with opener David Dawson (32)
Feldman also struck early, trapping opener Scott Henry lbw for a duck to have the figures of 2-58 off 22 overs.

The Blues are in last place on the Shield ladder, with Queensland in equal first, but the ladder leaders have been outplayed through the first two days.

On a fairly mild deck the Bulls were rolled for 243, with forgotten Test quick Doug Bollinger doing the bulk of the damage with 4-57, while debutant leg-spinner Adam Zampa claimed 2-30.

Nathan Reardon (71) top scored for the Bulls with captain Chris Hartley (66) also contributing.

Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang

Smith, Haddin too good for Bulls

Dengan url

http://olahragasehatiku.blogspot.com/2012/11/smith-haddin-too-good-for-bulls.html

Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya

Smith, Haddin too good for Bulls

namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link

Smith, Haddin too good for Bulls

sebagai sumbernya