Queensland may have claimed a morale-boosting one-run win over one-day cup favourites Western Australia, but it came at a cost with the competition’s leading run-getter Usman Khawaja suffering a suspected broken thumb.
The previously unbeaten Western Australian finished at 4-265 off their 50 overs, falling just shy of Queensland’s total of 7-266.
But it was enough to deny the Queenslanders a bonus point which would have secured the Bulls automatic passage to Sunday’s domestic one-day cup final.
The result leaves WA top of the standings, while Queensland must now navigate past NSW in Friday’s preliminary final for another shot at the Warriors.
Khawaja – who hit a second successive century earlier in the day – is likely to miss the remainder of the tournament due to the injury.
Khawaja hit a confident 120 off 129 balls before captain James Hopes later revealed the Queensland opener had been taken to hospital.
WA finished their 50 overs at 4-265 but they had long since passed 213, which was enough to deny Queensland the bonus point they needed to leapfrog the Warriors into top spot.
At 1-191 WA looked on track to pass Queensland’s total, but the loss of quick wickets slowed the run rate and ultimately proved costly.
Craig Simmons (98) top-scored for WA but fell short of a maiden one-day ton when he was bowled by Jason Floros.
Michael Klinger batted solidly for 66 and Marcus Harris made 43.
Hopes said his side went into the day focused entirely on collecting a bonus point and winning through to Sunday’s final at the SCG.
“This is the weirdest feeling we have had after a win,” said Hopes.
“We did some things well and some things badly. We were hell bent on trying to get a bonus point and avoid playing on Friday … When we saw the pitch we thought if we could score high 200s we would be a chance (for the bonus point).”
Player of the match Khawaja, who has scored 523 runs at 75 in the competition, and fellow Queensland opener Chris Hartley put on 151 for the opening wicket.
The pair was coming off the back of a domestic record partnership of 280 set in the Bulls’ win over Tasmania on Saturday.
Hartley was the first man out for 64, while Khawaja was eventually dismissed caught in the deep.
Without rested bowling spearhead Nathan Coulter-Nile, it was left to Nathan Rimmington to lead the fightback with 4-43 from his ten overs.
broken-hearted toy
Guest
WA also rested Joel Paris. Good chase by them, amazing series they've had. WA are usually crap at 50 over cricket.
Rellum
Roar Guru
I glanced at the score and thought we lost that game. Odd to feel deflated after a one run win.
Khan
Roar Rookie
Very well said Bush, Smith to be captain and Khawaja to come in as both are class acts
Ross Fleming
Roar Rookie
You are correct bearfax, Arthur and co really took the confidence out of him but he looks to be at his best again leading the run scoring for the matador cup and no doubt will get the player of the tournament. I can see big things for him once he returns for shield as he is looking a class above once again and the current selectors and coach are much more fair in rewarding performance.
Bearfax
Guest
Regrettable for Queensland that Khawaja may be out. Since his return from England where he had a mediocre record, he has hit a serious purple patch and is averaging in the present tournament 74.7. Lets hope his injury doesnt take too long to heal and he is back playing Shield for Queensland in November, because his present form suggests he could again be pushing for test selection if he can translate his efforts in one day matches to the longer form. He's always had the talent it seems but I suspect he's a confidence player who had the stuffing knocked out of him by some pretty ordinary test selections while Micky and Invers were in charge.
The Bush
Roar Guru
When you look at Khawaja's statistics and the form he's in, it's insane that there is no place for him in the AUS ODI side. For example he has a much better (classes above) average than either Hughes or Maxwell and even better than Smith (who we're still trying to find a place for). If it wasn't for Clarke's constant missing of ODIs, you'd think Bailey's position at 5 would be under serious pressure from Smith and Khawaja. Post World Cup, assuming Clarke steps away (quite likely, to focus on Tests), Bailey should be moved on (he'd be 36 at the following World Cup), Smith should be made captain and Khawaja brought into the line up.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
That'd be right.