Hastings backs Vic batsmen to fire

Victorian allrounder John Hastings has backed the Bushrangers’ batting line-up to fire when it matters most against Tasmania in their do-or-die Matador BBQs One-Day Cup showdown on Tuesday.

A place in Friday’s elimination final is on offer to the victor, while the loser will have to rely on the outcome of Wednesday’s match between South Australia and the Cricket Australia XI to find out whether or not they will progress.

The Commonwealth Bank Bushrangers’ 244 against the NSW Blues on Sunday was their highest total from their five matches to date, while Matthew Wade (63no and 56), Glenn Maxwell (51) and Daniel Christian (60no) are the only batsman to have scored fifties so far during the tournament.

Australia ODI opener Aaron Finch scored 45 not out in the Bushrangers’ first match against the Cricket Australia XI, but his next four innings have produced 3, 0, 10 and 2.

Watch: Vics end Blues' unbeaten run

Maxwell’s dismissal for four in Victoria’s clash with the myFootDr Bullsdrew criticism from Bupa Support Team Head Coach Darren Lehmann and while the allrounder responded with fifty against the Warriors in Victoria’s next outing, he has since been suspended by Cricket Victoria for the Tasmania clash after missing a team recovery session on Monday.

Wade has been the best of international trio, with two half-centuries bookending scores of 4 and 21.

Hastings has scored 99 runs at 24.75, Cameron White has 100 at 27.5, Peter Handscomb has scored 65 at 16.25 and Marcus Stoinis scored 40 from four innings before being dropped for Sunday’s NSW match.

"Our batters have probably not had the success they would have liked, but that’s the beauty of being in such a good side," Hastings said. "Anyone from one to eight can score 50-plus.

"Our batters are pretty close (to big scores), they’re unbelievable players and they’re working pretty hard behind the scenes.

"They’re only marginally off a big score so hopefully that’s Tuesday and we can take some momentum into the semi-final if we do get there."

Rob Quiney replaced Stoinis as opener for Sunday’s match against the Blues, impressing with 79 off 75.

"It’s fantastic to see Bobby back, it shows the calibre of person and player he is that he can miss four games at the start of the tournament and come into the fifth one and seem like he hasn’t missed a game," Hastings said.

"He always works hard, there’s no question on his work ethic."

Watch: Wade lifts Victoria with crucial half-century

Hastings was the hero of Victoria’s upset win over the dominant Blues line-up – which featured Australian representatives Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Shane Watson, Peter Nevill and Nathan Lyon – taking 4-30 as the Bushrangers defended 244 at North Sydney Oval.

"It’s one of the better wins I’ve played in for Victoria," Hastings said. "I thought 240 might have been a little under par at North Sydney Oval, but the way we stuck at our task, hats off to the bowling and fielding group who got the job done."

Scott Boland was also impressive at the death, removing Steve O’Keefe and Nathan Lyon to finish with 2-44.

"I’m really proud of Scotty and the way he’s come on in the last couple of years,” Hastings said. "He’s really fit and a bit stronger this year and with that comes the consistency of line and length you need.

"He’s learning and that’s all you can ask from young bowlers, that they learn from every outing they have.

"He, Jon Holland and James Pattinson as the young bowling attack have done a fantastic job."

Watch: Hastings gives NSW the Blues

Hastings said he was expecting a tough match against the Tigers, who kept their Matador Cup alive with an impressive win against an Alcohol.Think Again Western Warriors outfit featuring Mitchell Johnson, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Cameron Bancroft, Adam Voges and Ashton Agar on Saturday.

"It’s all or nothing for Victoria,” he added. "Tassie have been pretty good in the last few years in one-day cricket and we’ve had some good tussles."

Meanwhile, Tasmania coach Dan Marsh is optimistic about his side’s chances while also cautious about waking the sleeping giant that is Victoria’s star-studded batting-line up.

"We felt like we played really well against Western Australia so we do have some momentum," Marsh said. " (But) they’ve got a really dangerous batting line-up that hasn’t fired as yet.

"There are some big names in their team but we’ve planned really well for them and we’ve just got to go out and execute our plans tomorrow."