Victoria pays for its lack of experience
The Sunday Age
Sunday December 13, 2009
CLAYTON'S Dylan Fisher inked his name into the history books during the week when he stepped out for Victoria and became the first bowler to represent the state's under-18s, under-25s and seniors in the same season.The clash against Tasmania, at Clayton, was also significant for Wayne Roberts, with the Altona skip featuring in his 200th state game.But these achievements were overshadowed by the performance of a gritty Tasmania and the Big V was forced to hand over the French Holbrook Shield.Over the shield's 22-year history, Victoria has monstered the Tasmanians this was only the fifth time and the first in seven years, the men from the Apple Isle have held the trophy aloft.It was the Vics who performed like the poorer bowling cousins, winning just seven rubbers out of 20 in the five Tests and losing all of its rinks twice in the series.Despite this dominant performance from the visitors, the Big V was not without chances, winning the fourth Test to level the series and trailing by three shots halfway through the fifth and final set.Victorian captain Ashley Bates, from Wodonga, said his team had no excuses despite missing regulars Mark Jacobsen, Lee Schraner and Todd Simmons, and losing Essendon's Peter Loe at the last minute."People will use the knowledge that our group was pretty inexperienced, which is probably a factor, but whenever someone pulls on a Victorian shirt, they are expected to perform to this level," Bates said.Victoria had three debutants: Fisher, Shepparton Park's Brett Foley and Shepparton Golf's Matt Robertson. Bendigo East's Brad Holland was promoted to skip for the first time.The Australian squad has been trimmed from 28 to 12 and surviving the cut were Brighton's Lee Schraner and Moonee Ponds pair Mark Jacobsen and Mark Casey.Casey, who regularly bowls for Helensvale in Queensland, has been recalled to the team while Schraner will make his international debut when Australia plays England at the Moama Bowling Club in February.The two-day Test is likely to have a significant bearing on the side for the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.
Β© 2009 The Sunday Age
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