Hastings sparks Bushrangers upset

The Commonwealth Bank Bushrangers have conjured a stunning fightback to end the NSW Blues’ unbeaten run in the Matador BBQs One-Day Cup and moved into second place on the table with a thrilling 21-run win at North Sydney Oval.

Victoria looked in all sorts of trouble with 18 overs remaining in the match, but a remarkable turnaround with the ball, triggered by the always-toiling John Hastings, saw the star-studded Blues lose 8-64 and hand the home side their first defeat of the season.

WATCH: Hastings takes crucial four

Chasing 245 for victory, Nic Maddinson and Ed Cowan made an electric start to their pursuit of the target with Maddinson smashing 20 runs off Pattinson’s second over, including an emphatic six over the leg-side that hit a car on nearby Miller Street.

WATCH: Maddinson clocks monster six in chaotic over

The big-hitting left-hander departed soon after, bringing Australian allrounder Shane Watson to the crease for some valuable time in the middle ahead of next Sunday’s final, where the Blues have already booked their place.

Watson had scored just 68 runs from four innings in the tournament leading into today’s match, but steadily went about regaining some touch and reeling in what appeared to be a modest total.

The No.3 batsman formed a solid 61-run partnership with opener Ed Cowan, before stand-in skipper Moises Henriques joined him out in the middle at 2-85 in the 18^thover.

WATCH: Watson bounces back with 64

Watson brought up his first half century of the summer from 68 balls to put his side in complete control at 2-136 with more than half of the target accounted for.

The course of the match swung dramatically when Hastings had Henriques trapped in front for 37 to spark a collapse of 4-13 in 24 balls, of which Hastings claimed three batsmen leg before wicket.

Test wicketkeeper-batsman Peter Nevill and spinner Stephen O’Keefe steadied the ship for the Blues with a 47-run stand, until a clutch over from Scott Boland resulted in the run out of Nevill, the dismissal of O’Keefe and importantly a maiden for the Victorians.

Hastings was by far the pick of the bowlers with 4-30 in a frugal 10-over spell, while the left-arm orthodox of Jon Holland proved difficult to get away with 0-37 from his allotted overs and Boland’s performance at the death highlighting his 2-44 from 9.2 overs.

Victoria’s inclusion of Rob Quiney for the out-of-form Marcus Stoinis was justified with the veteran left-hander’s 79 off 75 balls leading the way at the top of the order, while captain Matthew Wade’s half-century in the latter half of the innings ensured his bowlers had something work with in the afternoon.

After being sent in to bat by Henriques, the Victorians were in early trouble when a Mitchell Starc yorker ripped through Aaron Finch to dismiss the one-day international opener for two in the third over.

Watch: Starc shatters Finch's stumps

Cameron White joined Quiney and the experienced pair looked set for a fruitful partnership until White lost his leg stump to Sean Abbott for 27.

With the Bushrangers in early trouble, star allrounder Glenn Maxwell looked to up the ante against Test off-spinner Nathan Lyon. However, he could only manage to pick out Stephen O’Keefe at mid-off who held on to a sharp catch and ended Maxwell’s brief stay on five.

As wickets fell around him, Quiney continued on with his knock that was quickly gaining momentum courtesy of some superb strokeplay, including a brutal cover drive on to the hill shortly before reaching his half-century.

Young gun Peter Handscomb lost his concentration – and his wicket – in the 22nd over to become Henriques’ first scalp of the day, with Dan Christian’s chip to short cover becoming his second two overs later as the Bushrangers slumped to 5-122.

As the lone batting pillar, Quiney kept the pressure on the Blues bowlers before advancing and missing a wild swipe to be stumped off the bowling of O’Keefe.

Spin twins O’Keefe and Lyon then combined to dismiss John Hastings after the Victorian allrounder landed a couple of lusty blows to test the fielding skills of the crowd.

Wade and James Pattinson then produced the largest stand of the innings with 61 from 59 balls as the skipper used a mix of finesse and brute strength to bring up his second fifty of the tournament.

Highlights: Wade's timely half-century

The left-hander finished with a vital 63 from 65 balls with the highlight coming via a monster hit off Abbott over the O’Reilly Stand in the 46th over.

Starc returned to claim the wickets Pattinson, Jon Holland and Scott Boland to finish with 4-58 from 9.5 overs and take his tournament tally to 23 wickets in five matches, now just one scalp short of the tournament record held by Shane Harwood.

The Blues made two changes to their undefeated XI with seamer Gurinder Sandhu making way for Starc and Ryan Carters returning to the line-up for Steve Smith who was been rested as he manages some knee soreness ahead of next Sunday’s final back at North Sydney Oval.

The Bushrangers now prepare to take on Tasmania on Tuesday in their final round of the match of the tournament with the winner of that clash earning a spot in Friday’s elimination final at Drummoyne Oval.