Warriors take the sword to the Bushrangers

Western Australia have begun their ING Cup season with a five-wicket victory against Victoria at the WACA Ground in Perth today.

Damien Martyn, on return to domestic cricket, claimed man of the match honours for his innings of 110, his fourth domestic century, as the Warriors recovered after a dreadful start with the bat.

Set a modest 222, on a pitch that was anticipated to provide around 280, Victoria had the Warriors on the back foot with the three quick wickets of Adam Gilchrist, Marcus North and Justin Langer.

Martyn, though, found an ally in Mike Hussey as the pair took the sword to the Bushrangers bowling with a partnership of 76. Tim Welsford copped the brunt with Martyn blazing three consecutive fours in his first over.

Victorian captain Cameron White was another in the firing range as Martyn passed 50 with his seventh boundary. Hussey (35), however, nicked the ball through to Crosthwaite.

Adam Voges continued where Hussey left off and gave Martyn the support he needed. With the bonus point out of reach Martyn moved to 99 with three consecutive shots out to deep square leg, in Brad Hodge's first over, and notched the milestone in the next over bowled by Cameron White, 42nd overall.

Gerard Denton, best bowler for the Bushrangers with 3/54, returned with the target almost near to claim Martyn. Vogues narrowly missed the half-century, though, hit the winning runs with a four on the first ball of the 48th over. Of the other bowlers Allan Wise collected one scalp, that of Hussey while Michael Lewis picked up North's wicket.

Earlier, Victoria won the toss and elected to bat with, very favourable conditions, a cloudless sky above. Jonathan Moss continued where he left off, during the Pura Cup match this week, going on the attack as he raced to another 50 with nine fours.

Michael Klinger (5) joined in with the boundary shots but tried a second time and hit straight to Peter Worthington at deep extra cover in the fourth over.

Even Brett Dorey came under punishment from Moss, and it started on his first ball. Dorey, though, hit back with back-to-back maiden overs, 15th and 17th of the innings, in an economical bowling spell that was wicketless but conceded only 19 runs.

A courageous Brad Williams also bowled well in his first five-over spell, though appeared in discomfort with a nagging shoulder injury that threatened to return and dampen his day. Michael Clark was introduced as a change bowler, it wasn't a long wait for a wicket as Brad Hodge (10) sliced the ball to Worthington at mid-off in his second over.

Clark finished with 2/53 from his 10 overs, adding the wicket of David Hussey (11) to his first scalp Hodge. Moss guided the total over 100 before White lofted the ball to Darren Wates at mid-off.

With his highest ever domestic one-day score of 77 within reach Moss (70) skied the slower ball by Worthington to Mike Hussey at cover, he trudged off with Victoria struggling at 5-116 in the 27th over.

Graeme Rummans took to Voges, in the 30th over, with two slashing fours through the deep extra cover region, however, he attempted to do the same off Williams bowling only to edge through to keeper Gilchrist. It was the first of three wickets for Williams, who finished the innings with two in three balls and 3 for 36.

Worthington claimed 3/45 off his nine overs, his third wicket was gifted by Welsford with a nick through to Gilchrist. Adam Crosthwaite provided some tail end resistance as he guided Victoria past 200 despite the lost of Denton for 20. Voges finished with 1/42 off his seven overs.

Crosthwaite joined Moss with his own 50 before a spectacular diving catch, by North at point, ended his innings in the 48th over. Lewis (9) followed two balls later in similar fashion with a hit to Martyn.

Both teams meet again next Saturday at Melbourne's Junction Oval.

Full scorecard available here.

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