The allrounder Andrew McDonald had another consistent season in 2007-08 after enjoying a breakthrough campaign the previous summer. He helped Victoria reach the Pura Cup final with 545 runs at 49.54 combined with 13 wickets at 37.92. McDonald added his second first-class century when he led a fightback with 139 against South Australia at the Junction Oval, after reaching triple-figures for the first time in 2006-07. That season he was exceptional, topping Victoria's Pura Cup wicket tally and finishing second to Brad Hodge in their batting averages. He came into the season with one first-class half-century; he added six more and averaged 57.69. His 29 dismissals were invaluable in an injury-ravaged Bushrangers attack and his 6 for 34 against Queensland was a career-best. His red hair and surname inevitably invited the nickname Ronnie, but there was no clowning around from McDonald in 2006-07, when he became only the fifth player in Sheffield Shield/Pura Cup history to make 750 runs and take 25 wickets in a season. Not surprisingly, he was Victoria's Pura Cup Player of the Year and earned a part-time Academy place for 2007, and he was picked in the Australia A squad to tour Pakistan in September but had to pull out due to a shoulder injury.

A former Australia Under-19 player, McDonald was tipped for a bright future after picking up 32 wickets in ten games in 2003-04. Backed by a haul of 6 for 67 against Western Australia and another burst of 4 for 2 in 14 balls, he seemed ready to settle in the side. However, the following summer he had finger surgery and his appearances became less frequent. The 2005-06 campaign was subdued but he burst back and remains one of the keys to Victoria's chances of four-day and one-day success.
Brydon Coverdale April 2008

Australia Under-19s 1999/00

• Thrown in at the deep end (May 9, 2008)
  
• Blues settle for draw after Cameron's ten (Feb 18, 2008)
  
• Victoria trail despite McDonald century (Jan 22, 2008)
  
• Manou rescue mission derails Victoria (Jan 21, 2008)
  
• Victoria begin title defence in style (Dec 31, 2007)
  

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Mar 19, 2008 Simon Katich appeals for a catch against Andrew McDonald © Getty Images

Jan 10, 2008 Andrew McDonald is bowled by Shaun Tait © Getty Images

Dec 31, 2007 Andrew McDonald's 43 lifted Victoria to 187 © Getty Images

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