Marsh and Dighton lift Tasmania to victory

Tasmania 3 for 247 (Marsh 67*, Dighton 57) beat Queensland 7 for 246 (Maher 104, Philipson 56) by 7 wickets
Scorecard

Tasmania coasted to a seven-wicket win in the final of the ING Cup at the Gabba, beating Queensland easily to take the title. Set 247 for victory, they achieved the target for the loss of only three wickets with almost three overs to spare. Dan Marsh led the scoring with an unbeaten 67 and was ably supported by Michael Dighton (57) and Michael Bevan (47 not out). Tasmania built partnerships for every wicket, the best being an unbeaten 121 runs for the fourth wicket that took them to victory.

"I guess it's relief, enjoyment, I'm very proud of all the lads today," Marsh was quoted as saying by the ABC website. "We had our best game of the year in the final so you can't ask for much more than that. We haven't been very good chasing this year so I guess we were due to have a good chase, and that's how it worked out today."

Damien Wright, who took 2 for 41, was ecstatic. "It's just fantastic, this is what we play for, [it's] the first time I've been in this one-day final and we've won it so look it's just fantastic, I can't describe it, it's amazing," he said. "We always hoped we would [win], that's why we trained really hard as we do, and just to be here and experience this is amazing.

"It was bloody hard to watch it but having Michael Bevan out there and Dan Marsh, Dights [Michael Dighton], the way he started, and Birty [Travis Birt], we played the perfect game for us today and we're thrilled."

Victory at the Gabba © Getty Images

Michael Di Venuto, a veteran for Tasmania, has tasted defeat in finals before, and he was suitably happy at finally breaking through and winning. "It's awesome, you can't beat this feeling, this is what we play for," he said. "I've played for Tassie for a long time, been involved in three finals losses so to come back with a trophy at the end of the day is just awesome, an unbelievable feeling."

The day began with Jimmy Maher setting the pace with a superb 104 that took Queensland to a respectable 246 at the end of their 50 overs. Queensland were stuttering at 3 for 98 in the 27th over before a steady 109-run stand between Maher and Craig Philipson put them back on track. Philipson rattled off 56 in 51 balls while Maher smashed 12 fours and a six in his 122-ball effort. Adam Griffith, the fast bowler, was the pick of the Tasmania bowlers and finished with 2 for 37.