White outshone Ashes hopeful Ahmed with a superb spell of spin-bowling. Source: Getty Images
CAMERON White has shown up Test aspirant Fawad Ahmed with a fine spell of leg-spin bowling as Victoria fell just short of a Sheffield Shield win over Western Australia at the MCG.
Former Test batsman Marcus North defied the Bushrangers with a gutsy and classy seven-hour unbeaten 118 as WA finished the game 8-244, still 136 runs behind, to hold on for a draw.
Ahmed, who took 6-68 in the first innings, would have been looking for another haul on the last day to strengthen his chances of an Ashes Test debut.
But he went wicketless and didn't look dangerous.
In contrast, fellow leggie White, in superb form with the bat, bowled beautifully to claim four scalps in the last session to give Victoria a sniff of victory.
Shaun Marsh, who needed a big score to push his Ashes claims, made just four before becoming one of White's victims.
After impressive innings of 83 and 61 with the bat in this match, which followed being named player of the series in the state one-day tournament, White can lay claim to being the form player in the country.
It could perhaps push him into Test calculations, although he admitted himself earlier in the match that he didn't rate his chances.
THE ASHES preparation of Ryan Harris hit a hurdle with the Australian fast bowler unable to bowl for Queensland on Saturday because of a virus.
As the Bulls drew with South Australia in the Sheffield Shield match in Adelaide, Harris became the latest victim of an illness which crippled the Queenslanders.
Harris and five of his teammates were hampered by a stomach virus during the Glenelg Oval stalemate.
Harris perched himself at first slip for the duration of SA's second innings, watching Bulls legspinner Cameron Boyce revive the match with a career-best seven-wicket haul.
Boyce took 7-68 and caused SA to stumble in a collapse of 8-61 which offered faint hope of an outright win to the Queenslanders.
The Redbacks ultimately finished at 9-194, a 116-runs lead, when time ran out for the Bulls, who banked first-innings points.
Test paceman Harris batted earlier on Saturday's final day but didn't bowl, unwilling to risk worsening his condition with the Ashes opener just 19 days away.
ALEX Doolan says he lives in hope of earning a Test debut against England after a brilliant day-four century was enough to see Tasmania sneak home in a thrilling Sheffield Shield opener against NSW at Blacktown.
After Doolan fell for an elegant 132, Tasmania suffered a crippling batting collapse that saw them lose 6-23 to crumble from 2-261 to be eight down with 11 needed.
But some brave hitting from rookie tailender Clive Rose ensured the defending Shield champions secured an important two-wicket win after successfully overcoming a first-innings deficit to chase down the 295-run target.
On a slow and difficult Blacktown pitch, Doolan was just about all that stood between NSW and victory after the Tasmanians had resumed on Saturday at 1-18, with stoic opener Ed Cowan already back in the sheds.
Doolan, who emerged as a Test contender last summer, was a clear man-of-the-match after smashing 18 fours and a six and also top-scoring for his side in the first dig with a half century.
It was ideal timing for the right-hander, who has another chance to impress next week for Australia A against England with the first Ashes Test in Brisbane looming ever closer.
Australia's one day captain George Bailey is the frontrunner for the vacant No.6 spot but Clarke said Doolan had also put his hand up.
"He played very well, that was a fantastic innings no doubt about it and played a huge part in getting Tasmania home," said Clarke, who is "extremely" confident of facing Victoria next week despite limping throughout day four as a result of back soreness.
"(Doolan) deserves a lot of credit, I thought he batted with great patience but played his natural game.
"If any selectors were watching that innings it's got to help him that's for sure."
02 Nov, 2013
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Source: http://www.news.com.au/national/sheffield-shield-wrap-cameron-white-shows-up-fawad-ahmed-while-ryan-harris-fails-to-bowl/story-e6frfkp9-1226751994966?from=public_rss
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