MELBOURNE, Australia, CMC – There was no starring role for West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo but Victoria still brushed aside Queensland by 33 runs to launch their Twenty20 Big Bash title defence in style yesterday.
Bravo made one not out, took a catch and finished with one wicket to be a mere footnote in an otherwise impressive Victoria performance at the MCG.
The hosts piled up a challenging 188 for four off their 20 overs and then restricted Queensland to 155 for nine.
Aaron Finch gave Victoria a super start, banging 58 from 38 balls with eight fours and two sixes, in a 98-run first wicket stand off 63 balls with Brad Hodge whose 39 required 30 balls and included six fours.
David Hussey chipped in down the order with an unbeaten 42 from 23 balls and Cameron White’s little 15-ball cameo of 23 ended in the last over, leaving Bravo to face two balls.
In their run chase, Queensland were 18 for two in the third over before recovering but fast bowler Dirk Nannes claimed three for 30 to keep the visitors in check.
James Hopes top scored with 36 from 26 balls and Lee Carseldine hit a measured 35 from 36 balls before being snared at deep point by Bravo.
In the dying stages, the right-arm Trinidadian medium pacer claimed his only wicket when Nathan Rimmington sliced the first delivery he faced to point in the final over of the innings.
