November 11 Monday 2002
Lee responds to Test dumping with 10 wickets

MELBOURNE: Australia paceman Brett Lee reacted to his demotion from the Test side by grabbing 10 wickets as New South Wales thrashed Tasmania in an interstate match on Sunday. 

Lee, who took five for 63 in the first innings, blasted through Tasmania's middle order to claim five for 86 from 29.2 overs in the second innings to end with match figures of 10-149. 

Resuming at 30 for one on the third day's play of the four-day match at Sydney Cricket Ground, Tasmania were all out for 258 to lose by an innings and eight runs. New South Wales had made 437 for eight declared, including 201 not out from Michael Bevan, in reply to Tasmania's first innings of 171. 

Lee, who turned 26 on Friday, admitted he had been flattened by his Test axing after selectors chose Queensland veteran Andy Bichel over Australia's fastest bowler for the first Ashes Test in Brisbane against England. 

Another Test discard, New South Wales leg-break bowler Stuart MacGill, took match figures of 7-128 after claiming 3-86 from a marathon 36 overs in Tasmania's second innings. 

Daniel Marsh (44) Graeme Cunningham (40) and opener Jamie Cox (39) offered some resistance for Tasmania as did wicketkeeper Sean Clingeleffer, who was bowled by Lee for 43. 

"About four or five days ago it was probably the hardest time of my life I think as far as cricket goes but this weekend has just been fantastic, it's just been like a fairytale," Lee told reporters. 

In Melbourne, Victoria was within sight of victory at the close of the third day's play of the match against Queensland. 

Queensland resumed at 73 for four and were bowled out for 139, setting Victoria 163 to win. Victoria finished the day's play on Sunday at a wobbly 140 for five, with Brad Hodge unbeaten on 32 after opener Jason Arnberger was run out for 45. 

Victoria paceman Mick Lewis claimed 4-27 off 17.4 overs in Queensland's second innings on a pitch that has already been heavily criticised by Victoria coach David Hookes and captain Darren Berry. 

Queensland's first innings of 187 had been too big for Victoria, who responded with 164, and only Queensland's Andrew Symonds (92) and Victoria's Matthew Elliott (64) have reached half-centuries in the match. 

In Perth, South Australia's Chris Davies hit 125, his highest first-class score, as the visiting side declared at 271 for eight to set Western Australia 414 to win. 

Western Australia, who made 217 in their first innings in reply to South Australia's 359, were 58 for two at the close of the third day's play in Perth. 

Davies and wicketkeeper Shane Deitz (52), who both scored half-centuries in the first innings, added 142 for the seventh wicket. The 23-year-old Davies hit 15 boundaries and faced 170 balls.