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The Roar

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Dunk the hero as Bulls down Warriors

6th November, 2011
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Queensland opener Ben Dunk cracked an unbeaten century to inspire the Bulls to a three-wicket victory over Western Australia in Sunday’s one-dayer at the WACA Ground.

Chasing 230 for victory, the Bulls reached 7-233 in the 49th over, with man-of-the-match Dunk (115no off 124 balls) carrying his bat to extend Queensland’s perfect start to the season.

But the result could have gone the other way had Adam Voges held on to a simple catch at first slip when Dunk was on just 16.

Instead, 24-year-old Dunk made the most of his life, laying the early foundations before providing the calming presence at the death to guide the Bulls home with six balls to spare.

The left-hander finished in emphatic fashion, cracking WA paceman Nathan Rimmington for two fours and a six to score the winning runs.

Graeme Skennar (33) also played a crucial role after the Bulls had wobbled to 6-166 in the 37th over, combining with Dunk for a match-winning 51-run partnership.

The Bulls, under new coach Darren Lehmann, have won all three of their one-day hit-outs this season and sit well clear on top of the Sheffield Shield table following three straight outright victories.

WA all-rounder Mitch Marsh, who snared nine wickets in WA’s Shield loss to the Bulls, continued his good form with 4-40, while part-time spinner Marcus North chipped in with 2-42.

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Earlier, Queensland pacemen Cameron Gannon (4-36) and Alister McDermott (5-64) combined for nine wickets to dismiss WA for 229 in the 50th over.

North (55), Luke Ronchi (47 off 47 balls) and Voges (45) put up stern resistance as WA capitalised on two Queensland errors.

North was lucky not to be run out on 10 attempting a quick single with Voges, while Ronchi was given a life on eight when a diving McDermott dropped him at mid-on.

An airborne McDermott initially held on to the catch, only for the ball to bumble out as he came thudding back to earth.

North and Ronchi made the most of their luck to combine for a crucial 68-run, sixth-wicket stand that helped steady WA’s innings after the home side had earlier crashed to a wobbly 5-130.

Bulls skipper James Hopes, making his return from knee surgery, posted 1-50 from his 11 overs before making 18 with the bat.

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