New South Wales Blues vs Diamond Eagles

Eagles have ended with 91/9, which gives the Blues a brilliant 53-run win in their opening match. The strong bowling attack of the NSW Blues did their job pretty well right from the start. Eagles were left tottering on 36/6 and they never really recovered from that situation chasing the total of 145. Lee, Clark, Henriques and Hauritz all chipped in with wickets and gave away almost nothing, a couple of run-outs from Katich helped the cause. McLaren(40) was the only Eagles batsmen who got going but it was too late in the end. Hang on for the presentation news..

Simon Katich is awarded the Man of the Match.

Stay tuned as we have another big match coming our way. Victorian Bushrangers take on Delhi Daredevils in a high profile clash at the same venue.

M Henriques to V Mpitsang, ALL OVER! Defended off the back foot by Mpitsang and that is the end of the match. Blues win!

M Henriques to T Tshabalala, Driven towards the mid-on region. Hauritz goes for a direct hit but misses the stumps. They pick up a single.

M Henriques to T Tshabalala, Driven towards the mid-on region but not for runs.

Victor Mpitsang is the last man in. Just the three balls to play.

M Henriques to R McLaren, OUT! McLaren has just lofted it over mid off. That one has gone straight to Hauritz and he holds on. Diamond Eagles have lost their ninth wicket.

M Henriques to T Tshabalala, Driven through mid-on by Tshabalala. They pick up a single.

M Henriques to T Tshabalala, Slower delivery outside the off and Tshabalala tries to pull that one but failed to connect it.

56 needed of the last over and in comes Moises Henriques to see his side through pretty easily.

B Lee to T Tshabalala, Tshabalala has done well to keep that yorker at bay. They pick up a single.

B Lee to R McLaren, McLaren drives this through the covers. The batsmen have run through for a single.

B Lee to R McLaren, FOUR! Brilliant shot! A short delivery which has been pulled away straight down the ground. It just races away to the fence in a flash.

B Lee to R McLaren, Played to mid-wicket region by McLaren but not for runs.

B Lee to R McLaren, McLaren lets that bouncer go past his head.

B Lee to T Tshabalala, Tshabalala works it down the leg side. One run added to the total.

S Clark to T Tshabalala, The ball takes the outside edge goes towards the third ma region. The batsmen have run through for a single.

S Clark to T Tshabalala, Tshabalala has played that with the full face of the bat.

S Clark to T Tshabalala, Tshabalala flicks it away with a wristy shot. Two runs added to the total.

S Clark to T Tshabalala, Tshabalala was beaten and missed the line of the delivery. That one again stayed a touch low outside the off.

S Clark to R McLaren, Driven through mid-off by McLaren. They pick up a single.

S Clark to T Tshabalala, Tshabalala works it down the leg side. They pick up a single.

B Lee to R McLaren, FOUR! Full outside the off and McLaren has played the paddle sweep, down on one knee. Gets that over the short fine leg fielder and it races away.

B Lee to T Tshabalala, The ball strikes Tshabalala very low on the pads. The fielding side is asking the question. The Umpire says no and they run for a leg bye down to fine leg.

B Lee to T Tshabalala, This time it was even more quicker from Lee. Length ball outside the off and Tshabalala fails to put bat on ball.

B Lee to T Tshabalala, Yorker length delivery once again but wide outside off; Tshabalala was beaten and missed the line of the delivery.

B Lee to R McLaren, Yorker length delivery on the off; driven through mid-on by McLaren. Good effort by Clark to restrict that to only a single.

B Lee to R McLaren, McLaren has attempted to put bat on ball - but fails.

Brett Lee is brought back into the attack.

Thandi Tshabalala makes his way to the center.

S Clark to du Preez, OUT! Bowled! Length delivery outside the off and Clark goes for a wild swing. Misses it and the off stump has been uprooted by Clark. Diamond Eagles have lost their eighth wicket.

S Clark to du Preez, Preez has punched the ball off the backfoot but straight to the point fielder.

S Clark to du Preez, Preez works it down the leg side. Two runs added to the total.

S Clark to du Preez, Preez has played it to the point region but not for runs.

S Clark to R McLaren, McLaren has played the paddle sweep. The batsmen have run through for a single.

S Clark to R McLaren, Pushed to the cover region by McLaren but not for runs.

Stuart Clark comes back into the attack.

M Henriques to R McLaren, McLaren hits that straight down the ground but on the bounce to the fielder at long-on. Single to end the over.

M Henriques to du Preez, Preez has driven it through mid-off. One run added to the total.

M Henriques to du Preez, FOUR! Preez has nudged the ball fine down the leg side. The ball races to the boundary. Umpire Hazare signals four runs.

Dillon du Preez walks out to the middle. It's a tough ask now with 83 runs needed off just 33 balls.

M Henriques to van Schalkwyk, OUT! Sound of timber! Full and straight on the middle; Henriques has broken through his defenses and knocked his stumps over. Diamond Eagles have lost their seventh wicket.

M Henriques to van Schalkwyk, Schalkwyk was beaten and missed the line of the delivery.

M Henriques to R McLaren, McLaren has lofted that over mid off. The batsmen have run through for a single.

Moises Henriques comes back on.

D Bollinger to van Schalkwyk, Defended off the back foot by Schalkwyk. No run to end the over.

D Bollinger to van Schalkwyk, Schalkwyk fails to put bat on ball.

D Bollinger to van Schalkwyk, Yorker length delivery in the block hole and the batsman plays that on the off side.

D Bollinger to R McLaren, McLaren has driven it through mid-on and this time they pick up one.

D Bollinger to R McLaren, McLaren has driven it through mid-on but not for runs.

D Bollinger to R McLaren, Driven through the covers by McLaren. A committed effort by Hughes at covers to save runs for his team.

Doug Bollinger comes in to bowl his final over.

N Hauritz to van Schalkwyk, Schalkwyk has driven it straight down the ground and back to the bowler. No run to end the over.

N Hauritz to van Schalkwyk, Played to the point region by Schalkwyk but not for runs.

N Hauritz to van Schalkwyk, Defended off the back foot by Schalkwyk and it goes towards the third man fielder.

N Hauritz to van Schalkwyk, Good ball! Schalkwyk has been beaten by the off spin.

N Hauritz to R McLaren, McLaren tucks it down the leg side and they pick up another single.

N Hauritz to van Schalkwyk, Driven through mid-off by Schalkwyk and they run for a single.

S Smith to R McLaren, FOUR! McLaren manages only a bottom edge on that one. The ball has crossed the ropes. Umpire Doctrove signals four runs. Good over for the Eagles.

S Smith to R McLaren, Played through mid-wicket by McLaren. The batsmen have picked up a couple of runs.

S Smith to R McLaren, SIX! Big hit! The bowler drops short on the middle and McLaren gives this a full swing of the bat, down on one knee. High and handsome over the boundary ropes for a maximum.

S Smith to R McLaren, McLaren has been hit on the pads as he tried to sweep that one. The fielding side is asking the question. Umpire Doctrove isn't interested in the appeal.

S Smith to R McLaren, McLaren has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

S Smith to R McLaren, McLaren works it down the leg side. Two runs added to the total.

Steven Smith is brought into the attack. He bowls leg-breaks.

N Hauritz to van Schalkwyk, Played to the point region by Schalkwyk but not for runs. End of the over.

N Hauritz to van Schalkwyk, Schalkwyk has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

N Hauritz to R McLaren, Played to the point region by McLaren for an easy single.

N Hauritz to van Schalkwyk, Schalkwyk has edged that one. They pick up a single.

N Hauritz to R McLaren, McLaren has swept that one through the leg side. The batsmen have run through for a single.

N Hauritz to van Schalkwyk, Schalkwyk has driven it through mid-on. One run added to the total.

D Bollinger to R McLaren, FOUR! The ball takes the outside edge goes towards the slip region. No slip in place and hence the ball races away.

D Bollinger to R McLaren, McLaren has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Shadley van Schalkwyk walks out to the middle. They are falling apart here, six wickets down for just 36.

D Bollinger to R Bailey, OUT! RUN OUT! Defended off the front foot by Bailey and they run for a quick single. Katich runs Bailey out at the other end with a direct hit. Umpire Doctrove raises the dreaded finger. Diamond Eagles have lost their sixth wicket now.

D Bollinger to R Bailey, Bollinger comes round the wicket and the ball hits Bailey low on the pads.

D Bollinger to R McLaren, Played to mid-wicket region by McLaren. One run added to the total.

D Bollinger to R McLaren, McLaren has attempted to put bat on ball - but fails.

N Hauritz to R McLaren, Driven through mid-on by McLaren. They pick up a single.

N Hauritz to R McLaren, Tossed up outside the off from Hauritz and it turns nicely; McLaren goes for the sweep but fails to connect it.

N Hauritz to R McLaren, Flighted outside the off and played to the point region by McLaren.

N Hauritz to R Bailey, Bailey works it down the leg side. The batsmen have run through for a single.

N Hauritz to R Bailey, Bailey has flicked the ball off his pads but not for runs.

N Hauritz to R McLaren, McLaren has played it towards mid-wicket. The batsmen have run through for a single.

D Bollinger to R Bailey, FOUR! The ball has found the edge of the bat and it flies past the keeper. The ball races to the boundary.

D Bollinger to R McLaren, McLaren failed to make contact and was hit low on the pads. Umpire Doctrove signals Leg Bye as they pick up a single.

D Bollinger to R McLaren, McLaren defends it from within the crease.

D Bollinger to R McLaren, Punched off the backfoot by McLaren but not for runs.

D Bollinger to R Bailey, Bailey has taken the aerial route and played that over the covers. One run added to the total.

D Bollinger to R Bailey, Bailey has attempted to put bat on ball - but fails.

Doug Bollinger back in the attack.

N Hauritz to R Bailey, Bailey has played it towards mid-wicket for a single.

N Hauritz to R Bailey, Bailey has attempted to put bat on ball - but fails.

N Hauritz to R McLaren, Pushed to the cover region by McLaren. The batsmen have run through for a single.

Ryan McLaren is the new man in. His side is off to a disastrous start here, having lost half their side under seven overs.

N Hauritz to D Elgar, OUT! Hauritz strikes! Elgar had a go at it but did not judge the flight of the ball well. Smith takes little time in ripping off the bails. Umpire Hazare raises the dreaded finger. Eagles are five down now!

N Hauritz to R Bailey, Bailey has played that off the front foot and they run for a quick single.

N Hauritz to D Elgar, Elgar has pushed it to the cover region for a single.

Spinner Nathan Hauritz comes into the attack.

Ryan Bailey makes his way to the middle.

S Clark to B Dippenaar, OUT! Skipper departs! Another full delivery outside off and Dippenaar has lofted that towards mid off. Once again he mistimed that and it went straight into Katich's hands. Diamond Eagles have lost their fourth wicket.

S Clark to B Dippenaar, The short of length delivery has been cut away through square on the off side. Good effort by Bollinger to ensure the ball doesnt cross the line. Two runs added to the total.

S Clark to B Dippenaar, Length delivery outside the off and keeps a bit low; Dippenaar manages only a bottom edge to the keeper.

S Clark to B Dippenaar, Full outside the off and Dippenaar mistimed that drive towards mid-off.

S Clark to B Dippenaar, Dippenaar defends it from within the crease.

S Clark to D Elgar, Played to the point region by Elgar. The batsmen have run through for a single.

M Henriques to B Dippenaar, Pushed to the cover region by Dippenaar. No run to end the over.

M Henriques to B Dippenaar, FOUR! Slower delivery picked up early by Dippenaar. He connects well and it goes over the Mid-on fielder for a boundary.

M Henriques to B Dippenaar, Defended off the front foot by Dippenaar presenting the full face of the bat.

M Henriques to B Dippenaar, Length delivery outside the off and Dippenaar plays that straight to the cover fielder again.

M Henriques to B Dippenaar, Dippenaar has played that towards covers but not for runs.

M Henriques to B Dippenaar, Defended off the back foot by Dippenaar.

Moises Henriques comes into the attack replacing Brett Lee.

S Clark to D Elgar, Elgar chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump.

S Clark to D Elgar, Back of the length delivery and punched off the backfoot by Elgar. No run possible again.

S Clark to B Dippenaar, Dippenaar has played it towards mid-wicket. They pick up a single.

S Clark to B Dippenaar, Dippenaar has punched that ball through the offside but straight to the fielder.

S Clark to B Dippenaar, Pushed to the cover region by Dippenaar but not for runs.

Eagles skipper Boeta Dippenaar walks out to the middle. His side is in a big mess at the moment and he will need to bring some stability here.

S Clark to van Wyk, OUT! GONE! Slower delivery on the middle and played towards mid-wicket by Wyk. That has gone straight into Hughes's hands. Diamond Eagles have lost their third wicket.

Stuart Clark is introduced into the attack. Just the one over from Bollinger.

B Lee to van Wyk, Ball hits Wyk low on the pads. Leg byes signalled by Umpire Hazare as the batsmen pick up a single.

B Lee to van Wyk, Wyk shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the backfoot.

Dean Elgar is the new man in. Blues are off to a flying start here.

B Lee to A McLaren, OUT! Run out! McLaren has driven it through mid-on and they take off for a risky single. A direct hit by Katich sends McLaren back to the pavillion. Third Umpire called for and Red Light comes on. Eagles two down!

B Lee to A McLaren, Full and straight on the middle. McLaren has played that with the full face of the bat.

B Lee to van Wyk, Ball hits Wyk low on the pads and goes towards fine leg. Leg byes signalled by Umpire as they pick up a single.

B Lee to van Wyk, Length delivery outside off and once again it stays a touch low from Lee; Wyk was beaten and missed the line of the delivery.

D Bollinger to A McLaren, McLaren dances down the track but decides to defend it. No run to end the over.

D Bollinger to A McLaren, Short and wide outside the off and McLaren fails to put bat on ball.

D Bollinger to A McLaren, FOUR! Short once again on the middle and McLaren plays a pull shot fine down the leg side. Hughes dives but can't prevent the boundary.

D Bollinger to A McLaren, FOUR! Short delivery on the middle and McLaren gets a top edge, playing the pull-shot. There was no fielder there and hence the ball races away.

D Bollinger to A McLaren, Back of the length delivery on the middle and McLaren defends it from within the crease.

D Bollinger to A McLaren, A short delivery which has been pulled away. That's an excellent chase by Hughes. Two runs added to the total.

Morne van Wyk walks out to the middle. Doug Bollinger to share the new ball from the Old Pavilion End.

B Lee to R Rossouw, OUT! Lee strikes! That's hit Rossouw on his pads. The fielding side is asking the question. Umpire Hazare declares Rossouw OUT. Diamond Eagles have lost their first wicket.

B Lee to R Rossouw, Punched off the backfoot by Rossouw but to the fielder on the off side.

B Lee to R Rossouw, That ball has struck Rossouw on the thigh-pad. The fielding side are asking the question. Umpire Hazare isn't interested in the appeal.

B Lee to A McLaren, Defended off the front foot by McLaren presenting the full face of the bat. They once again run for a risky single.

B Lee to R Rossouw, Full on the middle and driven through mid-on by Rossouw. They pick up a quick single before the throw comes in from Smith.

B Lee to R Rossouw, Length delivery outside the off and stayed a touch low, Rossouw was beaten and missed the line of the delivery.

Brett Lee will start off proceedings for the Blues from the Tata End.

The players are back on the field. Rilee Rossouw and Adrian McLaren have walked out to open for the Eagles.