Josh Hazlewood's return to domestic one-day cricket has been ruined by rain, with Victoria advancing past NSW and into Sunday's semi-final against Western Australia without a ball being bowled on Thursday.
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The Blues won the toss and opted to bowl under gloomy conditions in their knockout final at Sydney's Drummoyne Oval, but no action was possible after rain began to fall before the start of play.
The Bushrangers advance after having finished equal on points but higher on the ladder than NSW in fourth, by the slender margin of 0.02 in the net run-rate tiebreaker.
They face a significant challenge ahead though, with Western Australia undefeated through the rounds headed into the grand final qualifier.
After fellow quick Pat Cummins returned from his back injury for NSW on Monday against Queensland, Hazlewood had been named to play his first domestic match of the summer since suffering his own stress fractures.
The 27-year-old hasn't played a top-line match since Australia's last Test in South Africa in March-April, and only came back through Sydney grade cricket for St George last month.
Both he and Cummins will still have the opportunity to play in at least the opening round of the Sheffield Shield for NSW before Australia's home one-day series against South Africa begins next month.
ONE-DAY CUP FINALS FIXTURES
SEMI FINALS:
Saturday October 6: Tasmania v Queensland, 2pm, Drummoyne Oval, Sydney
Sunday October 7: Western Australia v Victoria, 10:30am, Junction Oval, St Kilda
FINAL:
Wednesday October 10: 10:30am, Junction Oval, St Kilda.
Australian Associated Press
