SYDNEY, Australia, CMC – Dwayne Smith failed to fire as his New South Wales crashed out of the Twenty20 Big Bash with a 54-run loss to Queensland yesterday.
The out-of-favour West Indies all-rounder was dismissed without scoring as the Blues stuttered to 56 for seven, in pursuit of 111 for victory in the rain-ravaged affair at the ANZ Stadium.
In a match reduced to nine overs aside, Queensland rattled up 110 for four after winning the toss and opting to bat first.They lost Jamie Hopes (5) cheaply with the score on 13 but successive partnerships bolstered the innings and propelled them to their eventual score.
Chris Simpson belted 34 from 14 balls with three sixes and two fours and posted a quickfire 37 for the second wicket with Andrew Symonds whose 38 came from 21 balls and included four fours and two sixes. The right-handed Simpson then added a further 55 for the third wicket with Symonds before Smith (2-18) grabbed wickets in successive deliveries in the final over to break the partnership and deny Queensland a high-scoring finish to their innings.
Smith was then among a clatter of wickets which fell at the start of the NSW innings, as Queensland made quick inroads thanks to fast bowler Nathan Rimmington (3-13).
The right-handed Smith sliced the second ball he received to wide mid off to depart in the second over at 10 for three, as NSW plunged to 21 for seven.