Cricket / Andy Morris / 22 December 2008 / Leave a comment Bet Now

The two weakest teams in this year's Ford Ranger Cup stage a repeat of the opening match of the season, writes Andy Morris.

Back on October 8, both New South Wales and Western Australia went into the season with high hopes. But now, rather than the championship, the thoughts of both teams are simply about improving and not finishing last on the ladder.

The Blues have only won two of their eight matches, and suffered five defeats. But they will target a win here as they beat Western Australia on the opening day at the WACA by six runs.

The problem for New South Wales has been a lack of depth in the side. They have had star performers with both bat and ball, but simply not enough of them.

David Warner has the highest average of any batsman in the competition, having compiled 342 runs from six innings at an average of 68.40. He was a match winner in the nine wickets win over Tasmania on November 29 at Hurstville Oval, with his unbeaten 169, but too often his knocks have been in a losing cause.

The only other players to have made half centuries for the Blues this season in the competition are Dominic Thornely (82 in the defeat by South Australia on October 22), Peter Forrest (57 in the same match), Thornely again with a 108 against Victoria on November 2, and David Warner's 97 in the tied match against Tasmania in Hobart on December 7.

Aaron Bird is the leading wicket-taker in the competition with 18 from seven matches, including a best of 5/26. But there has just been too little support from others in the attack.

Contrast the New South Wales situation with that of Western Australia, who go into this game just a point ahead of their rivals but with their sights set on leapfrogging South Australia who themselves are just a point ahead of the Warriors.

The Warriors have been forced to make two changes through injury, which might weaken their team. David Bandy and Luke Ronchi will be replaced by batsman Craig Simmons and rookie wicket-keeper Michael Johnson.
Bandy is in hospital after sustaining a broken nose and fractured eye socket after being struck by Victoria's Dirk Nannes in the two sides' Ford Ranger Cup encounter, while Ronchi has a hamstring tear.

It gives a chance for Johnson, who has played well for Scarborough in the Retravision Shield, and Simmons who has caught the eye while skippering Fremantle in the same competition, and they will be extra keen to make the most of the opportunity.

The Warriors were well beaten by the Bushrangers last time out, and lost to the same opposition in their previous game in late November, but then Victoria has been in irresistible form in this competition so far. Other than those two games and the opening defeat to the Blues, the Warriors are unbeaten in this competition this season.

They have shown good Ford Ranger Cup form in wins over Tasmania, Queensland and South Australia, most notably in that last game where Adam Voges hit an unbeaten 104 as the Warriors won with 2.4 overs to spare.

Other batsmen to have been in good form for the Warriors in this competition include Marcus North - who scored 95 on the opening day of the season - and Theo Doropoulos - who won man of the match honours for his 92 against Tasmania.

Despite having lost to the Blues already this season, the Warriors look the value bet in this match and can be taken with reasonable confidence in match odds betting.