Klinger and Bancroft shine for Western Australia
11 October 2017
Western Australia have all but booked themselves a spot in the finals of the JLT One-Day Cup thanks to Gloucestershire duo Michael Klinger and Cameron Bancroft, after claiming an 11-run victory over Queensland at the Drummoyne Oval.
Gloucestershire one-day captain Michael Klinger smashed 128 off 120 deliveries in a brilliant knock that included nine fours and four maximums.
Cameron Bancroft joined in on the fun, crunching an impressive 73 off just 47 balls. WA's total of 301-3 from 41 overs was slightly adjusted to a target of 304 for a Queensland victory under the Duckworth Lewis Stern formula.
A stunning start in the second innings from WA's Matt Kelly saw Queensland batsman Joe Burns out for a duck on the second ball, while Kelly continued to punish the home-side, finishing with 4-25.
But a whirlwind 122 off 81 balls from Bulls all-rounder Michael Neser late in the day almost resulted in an unlikely comeback, with Neser and Bulls skipper Usman Khawaja (81 off 78) having led the Bulls' revival from 5-63.
Neser had taken the game to the final over, earning him the Player of the Match, before being run-out with four balls to play.
Western Australia next takes on South Australia on Sunday 15 October at Drummoyne Oval, Sydney.
