Redbacks bite as NSW top-order falters

Thursday, 20 September 2018:

DANIEL HUGHES of the Sydney Sixers bats during the Big Bash League match between the Hobart Hurricanes and the Sydney Sixers at Blundstone Arena in Hobart, Australia.
DANIEL HUGHES of the Sydney Sixers bats during the Big Bash League match between the Hobart Hurricanes and the Sydney Sixers at Blundstone Arena in Hobart, Australia.


A fighting innings from opener Daniel Hughes saved NSW from oblivion in their one-day cup match against South Australia, following another poor showing from the Blues' top-order on a good WACA batting strip.

NSW rallied late on to reach 241 from 49.1 overs, having been sent in by new Redbacks' captain Jake Lehmann.

Hughes, who was NSW's top run-getter in last season's competition, anchored the Blues' innings before being unluckily run out backing up at the non-strikers end for 79.

Reliable seamer Chadd Sayers (2-52) collected wickets in each of his first two overs as the Blues continued their modest form at the top of the order after their four-wicket defeat against Western Australia at the WACA on Tuesday.

NSW-raised Redbacks' legspinner Adam Zampa (3-37) took a wicket with his very first ball of the summer, clean bowling dangerman Moises Henriques for 16 as NSW slipped to 4-64.

Rookie Jack Edwards impressed in his second outing for NSW with a confident knock of 42 from 52 balls, adding 79 with Hughes for the fifth wicket.

Late cameos from Daniel Sims (30) and Steve O'Keeffe (20) ensured the Blues posted a reasonable target.

Without reliable wicketkeeper-batsman Peter Nevill, who was ruled out of the series earlier in the week with a thumb injury, NSW's batting looked fragile against disciplined bowling from last season's one-day cup runners-up.






AAP






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