The title for this season’s best RYOBI One-Day Cup team is up for grabs at the MCG tomorrow, with both finalists welcoming back Australia A players to their state squads.
Leading tournament run-scorer Aaron Finch and fast-bowler John Hastings have been released from the Australia A squad to play for the Commonwealth Bank Victorian Bushrangers in the day-night final, while Joe Burns and Alister McDermott have also been named for the XXXX GOLD Queensland Bulls.
They will all return to national duties for the final VB Series match against England Lions on Friday at the SCG.
The XXXX GOLD Queensland Bulls’ limited-overs finals appearance comes on the back of an impressive 2012-13 domestic season for the state. Brisbane Heat celebrated their KFC T20 Big Bash League victory in January and Queensland took home the Imparja Cup last Saturday in Alice Springs. The Bulls are also the reigning 2011-12 Bupa Sheffield Shield champions.
Queensland narrowly secured a finals berth ahead of defending champions the West End Redbacks with a six-wicket win over Victoria on 16 February in the tournament’s last home-and-away round.
The loss wasn’t enough to bump the Commonwealth Bank Victorian Bushrangers from the top of the table, who finished four points clear with a home final. This will be the Bushrangers’ sixth one-day domestic final in seven seasons and marks another solid season for the Victorians, who also sit first on the Bupa Sheffield Shield ladder with another two rounds to go.
Since Australia’s domestic limited-overs competition began in 1969-70, Victoria has claimed victory five times and last won in 2010-11, while Queensland has won a total of eight times and last claimed the title in 2008-09.
The RYOBI Cup final will be broadcast live on Fox Sports 3 from 2pm AEDT and live on ABC radio analogue in Victoria and Queensland, as well as radio coverage through ABC Grandstand Digital in all states. Live scores for the final can be followed through cricket.com.au and through CA’s twitter handle @CricketAus.
Tickets for the RYOBI Cup final are $5 for kids, $10 for adults and $20 for a family pass. Pre-registered children and MyCricket participants will be admitted free with a valid coupon.
Match details - Wednesday, 27 February
Commonwealth Bank Victorian Bushrangers v XXXX GOLD Queensland Bulls, MCG, 2.15pm
TV/Radio/Online: The match will be broadcast live on Fox Sports 3 from 2pm AEDT and live on ABC radio analogue in Victoria and Queensland, as well as radio coverage through ABC Grandstand Digital in all states. Live scores for the final can be followed through cricket.com.au and through CA’s twitter handle @CricketAus.
Tickets: Tickets for the RYOBI Cup final are $5 for kids, $10 for adults and $20 for a family pass. Pre-registered children and MyCricket participants will be admitted free with a valid coupon.
Victorian squad: Cameron White (c), Fawad Ahmed, Aaron Finch, Peter Handscomb, John Hastings, Michael Hill, David Hussey, Clint McKay, Darren Pattinson, Rob Quiney, Chris Rogers and Will Sheridan
Queensland squad: James Hopes (c), Joe Burns, Peter Forrest, Cameron Gannon, Ryan Harris, Chris Hartley, Nathan Hauritz, Alister McDermott, Greg Moller, Michael Neser, Luke Pomersbach, Nathan Reardon
First Posted 26 February, 2013 11:38AM AEST
