Daniel Smith belts the Bushrangers

New South Wales 3 for 323 (Smith 185*, Cruickshank 75) beat Victoria 7 for 317 (Hodge 144, Quiney 92, Henriques 3-68) by 7 wickets

Daniel Smith stunned Victoria with a rollicking 185 not out from 123 balls to take New South Wales to its first domestic points of the season in the limited overs match at North Sydney Oval.

Having never previously made a century for his state, 29-year-old Smith crashed a competition record 11 sixes to rush the Blues past the visitors' seemingly imposing 7 for 317 with all of 49 balls to spare. The innings was also the highest by a NSW batsman in a domestic one day match.

Smith was helped in the chase by Tim Cruickshank, who made 75 in a second-wicket partnership of 167 as the Blues made remarkably light work of the target.

Simon Katich, who on Sunday was reported by Cricket Australia for comments he made about the Australian Test captain Michael Clarke, made only 13 but was shown support by members of the crowd in the form of numerous banners.

Victoria appeared to have tallied a strong total on what was an admittedly small ground and docile pitch, with Brad Hodge gliding to 144 from 116 balls while Rob Quiney swung freely for his 92 from 58.

Moises Henriques had nabbed three early wickets as the Bushrangers slid to 4 for 78, the slow start ultimately costly on what was otherwise a day dominated by the batsmen.
 
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