Victoria cruised to a 74-run bonus-point win against Tasmania in the Ryobi One-Day Cup on Sunday night at the MCG.
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Victoria cruised to a 74-run bonus-point win against Tasmania in the Ryobi One-Day Cup on Sunday night at the MCG.
The Bushrangers piled on 6-321 from 50 overs and matched their efforts in the field by skittling the Tigers for 247 in the 47th over.
The five-point victory keeps the reigning one-day champions' slim hopes of reaching the final alive.
Chasing 322 for victory was a steep challenge in itself but when the Vics ran both of their openers out the visitors, missing Ed Cowan and George Bailey from their top order, were never going to get close.
Paceman Jayde Herrick, who whipped through the lower order to claim 4-69 from 11 overs, was the main destroyer for the Bushrangers with Tom Triffitt's 72 the top score for Tasmania.
Earlier David Hussey powered the Bushrangers to 6-321 after 50 overs. The vice-captain warmed up for the Big Bash with 76 from just 49 balls as the Vics posted the biggest one-day score of the summer.
Openers Rob Quiney (72 from 85 balls) and Aaron Finch (65 from 78) featured in a 119-run opening stand that would have left first-time Tigers captain Xavier Doherty questioning his decision to bowl first.
Former Test spinners Jason Krejza, 2-69 from 12, and Doherty, 2-70 from 12, were Tasmania's best with the ball.
The Tigers' reply began horribly when opener Nick Kruger was run out in the first over without facing a ball after his partner Rhett Lockyear cancelled a second run.
Fielding at point, Quiney threw the stumps down and Kruger, who had slipped while turning, had no chance of making his ground.
Lockyear (seven) was run out himself after some neat fielding from wicketkeeper Ryan Carters and Tasmania were reduced to 3-18 when Alex Doolan chipped a catch to Maxwell off McKay and was also out for seven.
The Tigers were then counting on a long innings from Mark Cosgrove, but the No.4 lasted 15 balls before he was out lbw to Maxwell.
A steady 80-run partnership from James Faulkner, caught at point off Herrick for 50, and Matt Johnstone, caught at mid on for 37, offered the visitors a flicker of hope but their dismissals left the tailenders with far too much to do.
While Herrick, had the best figures, spearhead McKay continued his hot post-injury form. The 28-year-old beat the bat regularly and deserved better than his 1-28 from seven overs.
All-rounder Andrew McDonald chimed in late with the wickets of Doherty (29) and Ben Laughlin (zero).
Second-placed Tasmania get a chance to rebound when they take on New South Wales on December 4 with a follow up Bupa Sheffield Shield match beginning December 6.
The Vics this week host the rampaging Bulls who top both the Ryobi One-Day Cup and Shield tables.
A four-day match at the MCG starts on Wednesday with the corresponding one-day clash scheduled for Monday December 7.
