Vics get over the line

 Mark Pangallo, Sportal 

Victoria has taken out the opening match of the Big Bash Twenty20 season by three runs over Queensland thanks to the Duckworth/Lewis method after rain stopped play in the 17th over at the Gabba on Monday night.

The result left Queensland skipper Chris Simpson hugely disappointed as it seemed the Bulls were closing in on a memorable victory.

When the rain came down, Queensland was 6-121 with Craig Phillipson (33) and Ben Cutting (16) looking comfortable at the crease.

In the Victorian innings it was the international connection that served the Bushrangers well with New Zealander Ross Taylor (58) and West Indian Dwayne Bravo (36) providing the fireworks and pushing the total to 8-157.

Beginning the chase Bulls’ openers James Hopes and Ben Dunk got off to a good start notching up 21 after the first two overs. Dunk looked to have smacked a huge six to fine leg in the first over, however John Hastings (3-21), who was positioned right on the rope, managed to tap the ball back in play and save five.

Bravo nearly had a chance to run out Dunk early in the third over, the West Indian’s effort just missing the stumps after the Bulls pair scampered through for a quick single.

With the Bushranger openers unable to find a wicket, Bravo came on for a spell but his first over went for 18, Dunk smashing a six over mid-on off Bravo’s second delivery.

The great start made by the Bulls came to an end however, when Dunk was dismissed for 18.

The opener drove straight to Rob Quiney at mid-on who made an easy waist-high catch off the bowling of Clint McKay (1-28).

The Bushrangers then got another break in the same over when Hopes (22) was run out after a mix-up with Lee Carseldine - the Bulls 2-48 after five overs.

With the match swinging back in Victoria’s favour, Hastings grabbed another wicket when Reardon (0) edged to Taylor at slip.

Coming in at number five for the Bulls, Andrew Symonds strode the crease and got a rousing reception from the crowd.

However, his partnership with Carseldine (8) was cut short as last season’s Twenty20 leading runs scorer cut to cover, Cameron White taking a great diving catch to his right.

After a steading partnership of 34 with Craig Philipson, Symonds (16 off 14 balls) then hauled out to Bravo at deep square leg attempting a pull off Andrew McDonald (1-30) - the Bulls 4-90 after twelve overs.

Queensland could only manage six more runs before Bravo was involved again, sprinting in hard from the fence to catch Chris Simpson (4 off 6 balls) and give Hastings his third wicket of the Victorian innings.

With the Bulls sitting at 6-114 in the 16th over, Ben Cutting was dropped by Dirk Nannes after he skied high to deep fine.

With Cutting (16) and Philipson (33) trying to guide the Bulls home at 6-121, the heavens then opened up at the Gabba and play was suspended in the 17th over, Queensland an agonising three runs off the revised Duckworth-Lewis target of 124.

Earlier, it was Queensland that sent the Bushrangers into bat and with the Gabba wicket having a touch of green on the surface the Bull's got off to flyer, Nathan Rimington (1-27) snaring Brad Hodge in the second over for a duck after the Victorian edged to Simpson at first slip.

The fall of Hodge saw New Zealand international Taylor make his way out to the middle and with the last ball of Rimington's first over, Taylor edged nervously to Simpson, however the Bulls captain couldn't make the catch stick and dropped a sitter leaving the Bushrangers breathing a sigh of relief.

With Ryan Harris (3-23) steaming in the Bulls struck again with the first ball of the next over.

Opener Quiney (4) pushed forward and gave debutant wicketkeeper Dunk his first catch in first-class cricket after the ball nipped off the wicket.

Three balls later Carseldine then took a screamer at second slip to send David Hussey packing for zero and give Harris his second wicket of the innings leaving the Bushrangers dangling precariously at 3-5.

White and Taylor then steadied the ship for the Bushrangers their fourth wicket partnership of 77 coming after Taylor (58) hauled out to Symonds at cover.

Bravo made a quick fire 36 of 18 balls smacking three sixes and two fours, but after trying to hit over mid-off he was caught by Simpson off the bowling of Alister McDermott.