Quantcast

Blues ease to third straight win

Spin twins Lyon and O'Keefe do the damage to wrap up proceedings in Wagga Wagga

New South Wales have edged closer to a spot in next month's Bupa Sheffield Shield final after a third successive win, this time a one-sided 156-run triumph over Victoria in Wagga Wagga.

Spinners Nathan Lyon (4-60) and Steve O'Keefe (4-39) did most of the damage, having also shared seven wickets in the first innings.

Victoria were never in the hunt chasing 326 to win and, after being reduced to 3-37, they were eventually all out for 169.

The win elevated NSW from third to top spot on the ladder, but Western Australia can regain the lead should they defeat South Australia in their match which commenced on Monday.

Test off-spinner Lyon believes NSW are confident about further success ahead of two matches against WA and one against Tasmania to round out their regular-season schedule.

"That is three wins on the trot for us, so we feel confident about our game-plan and the way we are playing our cricket... hopefully we keep our roll going," Lyon said.

"We have three massive games to come. It is against tough opposition and a great challenge, but we are looking forward to the road ahead."

"My bowling feels good at the moment, and it is great bowling in tandem with Steve O'Keefe who is bowling superbly at the moment.

"It was one of those pitches that if you put in and did the hard work, you could get rewarded. It is good to get the reward, and we are feeling really good as a squad."

Only a patient innings from middle-order batsman Peter Handscomb (66) avoided complete disaster for Victoria, who were bowled out for just 114 in their first innings.

NSW resumed at their overnight score of 8-212 and added just 21 runs to be all out for 233.

Chris Tremain (3-31) and Scott Boland (3-41) claimed the best figures for the Vics.

It proved a costly defeat for third-placed Victoria who have now suffered two hefty defeats since the mid-season break.

"To be beaten inside three days irrespective of the wicket is disappointing," said Handscomb.

"Going forward hopefully our batters can score big like we did before Christmas when we were playing well. Hopefully it is just a blip. The two games since the Big Bash haven't been great for us.

"But we have a hell of a line-up and there is no reason we can't turn it around in the next three games, make the Shield final and give that a fair run for its money."