For the first three days of the national country championships at Shepparton, Bush Blues captain Tom Groth had about as many concerns as a spoiled cat.
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The Bush Blues comfortably won their first three matches, all Twenty20s, and in the process defended their T20 title from last year.
Also in the process, Groth, the respected South Tamworth gloveman, broke Newcastle cricketer Simon Moore’s record for the most games played for the Bush Blues (70).
So far so good for Groth – the only hiccup coming when NSW’s match against South Australian on Friday was cancelled due to extreme heat (44 degrees). Groth said he and his teammates wanted to play.
Still, the defending champions brushed off that annoyance to beat Queensland by 33 runs in a T20 on Saturday morning and then beat them again, by 25 runs, in the afternoon final.
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Following the first win on Saturday, Groth said: “Everyone’s having fun. It’s always good winning.”
But on Sunday at Deakin Reserve, South Australia – aided by what Groth described as a dodgy wicket – popped NSW’s fun balloon when the one-dayers began. SA finished on 7-164 off 50 overs and then dismissed NSW for 74 in the 36th over.
“The wicket just started to roll in the afternoon,” Groth said. “I think there were six or seven bowled and lbws [there was six]. A couple just ran straight along the ground. It’s disappointing. I’d be surprised if they don’t rule that ground out for the rest of the tournament.”
Tournament leaders NSW are next in action on Tuesday, against Victoria.
