BATHURST’S Trent Copeland has helped New South Wales continue its unbeaten start to the Sheffield Shield season, taking four wickets as his Blues beat Queensland with a day to spare.
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In late October Copeland played in the season opener which saw NSW beat South Australia, his 6-24 on day one setting up a six-wicket win.
In game two he was 12th man as the Blues fielded a bowling attack including Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazelwood against Western Australia. They won that match by 171 runs.
But with that trio rested for the match against Queensland, Copeland was given the nod to play at Allan Border Field.
He took 3-33 on day one – including the scalp of Ashes hopeful Matt Renshaw – from 23 overs as the Bulls were dismissed for 183. The Blues then made 271 in return to put themselves in a strong position.
While Copeland’s only victim in the second innings was Michael Nesser, caught behind for 31, the Bathurst seamer applied pressure with his good line and length.
His economy rate of 1.79 runs an over was easily the best of the Blues’ attack as the hosts fell for 215.
That meant the Blues needed 128 in their second innings to claim victory and remain on top of the shield ladder.
That they did, Copeland watching on as his team-mates reached the required total for the loss of just four wickets. NSW’s next match is against Victoria.