Pomersbach's journey off limits with Moody

as posted here

Tim Clarke
October 12, 2009 - 1:43PM
Understandably happy with an opening day-night win in the one day game, Warriors coach Tom Moody also sees green shoots of recovery in Luke Pomersbach's return to cricket over the weekend - although how he got there was off limits.

Following WA's nail-biting two-wicket win over Queensland in the Ford Ranger Cup yesterday, the Warriors will go into tomorrow's four-day clash with the Bulls in good spirits.

While Ashley Noffke's debut form was the highlight of the weekend, Pomersbach's 75 for club side Gosnells was another bright note after his nightmare off season saw him banned from driving and playing after a drunken night of madness.

Moody said today he was pleased to see his enfant terrible getting back on track - despite the controversy over his being handed an extraordinary driving licence last week after telling a court he was unable to use public transport.

"Luke is doing exceptionally well, he is working very hard outside the group and it was good to see him get amongst the runs at the weekend," Moody said.

"I am sure he is looking to build on that and get a few three figures on the board."

Asked whether he was relieved Pomersbach's issues with Transperth had not affected his form, Moody walked away.

With Luke Towers to come into the Warriors squad for Theo Doropoulos, Steve Magoffin comes into the 12 and likely to replace either Brad Knowles or Michael Hogan in the line-up

While Noffke's performance with bat and ball steered WA home, Moody was not backing away from the early brittle signs from the WA batsmen which dogged their season in all forms last year.

"It is nice to win in any circumstance, in a way an ugly win like that is nice to get under your belt," Moody said

"We knew very well we can play a lot better than that - I think we bowled and fielded very well, our batting is something we can improve on.

"I hope the top six or top seven players today can take more responsibility as the season goes forward. We need our senior players to stand up."

Queensland ruled out all-rounder James Hopes for the clash, after he missed Sunday's Ford Ranger Cup loss to the Warriors due to a glute injury.

He will sit out the four-day fixture in order to regain full fitness ahead of Australia's one-day tour of India.

The Bulls have recalled left-arm quick Scott Walter into the 12-man squad, with the 20-year-old almost certain to be named in the XI for what would be just his second first-class fixture.

Walter made his first-class debut against WA last year but managed just eight overs before succumbing to a hamstring injury.

Queensland are expected to unleash a four-pronged pace attack of Walter, Ben Laughlin, Ben Cutting and Grant Sullivan to complement spinner Chris Simpson.

Leg-spinner Daniel Doran was omitted from the original 13-man squad.

Batsmen Glen Batticciotto and Wade Townsend remain in contention to make their first-class debuts for the Bulls.

Queensland squad: Chris Simpson (capt), Glen Batticciotto, Ryan Broad, Lee Carseldine, Ben Cutting, Chris Hartley, Nick Kruger, Ben Laughlin, Nathan Reardon, Grant Sullivan, Wade Townsend, Scott Walter (12th man to be named).

WA squad: Marcus North (capt), David Bandy, Brett Dorey, Michael Hogan, Brad Knowles, Steve Magoffin, Shaun Marsh, Ashley Noffke, Wes Robinson, Luke Ronchi, Luke Towers, Adam Voges. (12th Man to be named).

with AAP


as posted here