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Things we learnt from the One Day Cup

Usman Khawaja is one of the few Aussie cricketers that should be guaranteed selection for the rest of the summer. (AP Photo/Tertius Pickard)
Roar Guru
27th October, 2014
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With Sunday night’s final bringing the One Day Cup to a dramatic close, and the running of the Bulls coming to an end following an untimely injury to Usman Khawaja, here are my thoughts on the entree for the 2014-15 domestic season.

There’s something in a name
New tournament sponsors Matador BBQs were an appropriate choice, with crowd numbers on par with an average Sunday barbecue with friends.

In other sponsor news, the former XXXX Bulls invoked thoughts of tinea and other fungal goodness under their new moniker of the myFootDr Bulls. Delish.

Left-arm quicks are the new black
With Western Australia bringing a tear to Bruce Reid’s eye with their barrage of southpaw slingers, this year’s one-day fest was a smorgasbord of angular attackers. Mitchell Johnson is spearheading a new movement.

GEM need to adjust their advertising during sports broadcasts
While I like to acquire knowledge of many areas of life, frequent ads for menopause treatments did seem an odd fit for the viewing demographic.

Special mention must also go to Clean Ears spray, which didn’t exactly match up with the usual advertising trifecta of beers, barbecues and bronzed Aussies.

Nathan Rimmington is a scary man
After several years of wild-eyed, bearded fury, Rimmo unveiled a less hirsute, yet incredibly terrifying look this summer. Ditching the beard and keeping the crazy eyes was an inspired move, with rumours the producers of Dexter are currently writing a new series about a fast bowler from Western Australia.

Usman Khawaja is back
After topping the run scorers’ list for the tournament with a mix of beautiful and bludgeoning strokeplay, Uz has smashed his way back in to the minds of the national selection panel. With the World Cup just around the corner, UK is peaking at the right time.

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A condensed tournament with good TV coverage really works
After years of one day games being scattered throughout the domestic season like the hairs on Bernie Ecclestone’s head, Cricket Australia finally nailed it last year with a condensed cup in New South Wales.

This year’s version was arguably even more successful, with games spread across NSW and Queensland seeing consistently strong performances from most states. Hopefully the great quality cricket on offer will see crowds hit four figures at least for most games next year.

Vics currently don’t do it better
Despite the Bushrangers’ favourite hashtag asserting otherwise, the cup was a disappointing campaign for Victoria.

Aside from an epic comeback from player of the tournament Cam White, the Bushies were frustratingly inconsistent, following up an epic win chasing 300 with another meek collapse. Plenty of net time required here.

WA were worthy winners
Despite a batting line-up that looked brittle on paper, the Warriors found a way to get it done throughout the tournament. With the aforementioned brigade of looping lefties wreaking havoc throughout the cup, and astute captaincy from Adam Voges, the Sandgropers will be the one day team to beat in coming years.

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