30 Aug 2010 Bushrangers continue disappointing form

30 Aug 2010 Bushrangers continue disappointing form The Victorian Bushrangers again failed to live up to the billing of being Big Bash champions as they succumbed to a six run loss to fellow CLT20 aspirants, the South Australian Redbacks in the Top End Twenty20 challenge in Darwin.   The Bushrangers won the toss and elected to bowl, and young paceman James Pattinson ensured that the in- form Michael Klinger was sent packing early on. The Vics were on top after reducing the Redbacks to 3/12 after four overs. But Callum Ferguson and Cameron Borgas played the rescue act to perfection as their partnership helped the Redbacks post a competitive total of 6/110, with Dirk Nannes (three wickets) and James Pattinson (two wickets) both impressing with the ball for the Bushrangers.    But the Vics’ batting continued to fail as Matthew Wade (0), Rob Quiney (7) and John Hastings (9) all failing to cross double figures. Ryan Carters was the only shining light with an impressive innings of 51* but even his heroics were not enough as the Bushrangers required 16 runs off the last over. Carters and Shane Harwood were unable to come up with the goods with the Bushrangers finishing on 4/104 to be defeated by six runs.   And it went from bad to worse for the Bushrangers in the second match of the evening against the Queensland Bulls. A 10-run loss ensured the Big Bash champions go to South Africa low on confidence.   Again the Bushrangers began with much gusto reducing the Bulls to 4/54 at the halfway point, with wickets from Clint McKay, John Hastings (2) and Brad Hodge. But the Bulls eventually ended their innings on 6/121 at the end of their twenty overs.   The Bushrangers’ batting flattered to deceive again as only Rob Quiney (21) and Ryan Carters (21) impressed with the bat, but Big Bash champions had to contend with the all too familiar taste of defeat. The side will have to drastically lift their game by the time they face the Warriors on Sep 13 in their opening CLT20 match in Port Elizabeth.