SHEFFIELD SHIELD – WEEK TWO

October 28, 2018

VIC V NSW

Victoria are on top of the Sheffield Shield table after a thumping win over New South Wales at the MCG.  The home side won the toss and sent the Blues into bat.  The decision proved to be a good one, as NSW were rolled for 159.  Kurtis Patterson top scored with 63, while Jack Edwards chipped in with 34.  Chris Tremain took 5/47 for Victoria.

Opener Marcus Harris scored an unbeaten 250 as Victoria reached a total of 9/445 before declaring.  Peter Handscomb continued his good form with 48.  Trent Copeland and Jason Sangha each took three wickets for New South Wales.

The visitors started their second innings well, with Nick Larkin and Kurtis Patterson each making half centuries.  However, the middle order collapsed, and the Blues were all out for 179, handing victory to Victoria by an innings and 107 runs.  Scott Boland took 6/49 for the victors, while Marcus Harris was deservedly named Man of the Match.

SA V QLD

South Australia remain the only other unbeaten team after playing a draw with Queensland in Adelaide.  Queensland won the toss and elected to bat.  Joe Burns made 64 in an innings of 231.  Teenager Lloyd Pope made headlines by taking 7/87 for the home side.

In reply, South Australia compiled a score of 505.  Tom Cooper made 178, while Jake Lehmann finished with 126.  Brendan Doggett was the pick of the Queensland bowlers, taking four wickets.  In their second innings, Queensland were on 6/357 at the end of the match.  Sam Heazlett scored a patient 118 not out, while Joe Mennie and Chadd Sayers each took three wickets for SA.

WA V TAS

Tasmania travelled to Perth to face Western Australia, and elected to bat first after winning the toss.  Alex Doolan scored 76, and Matthew Wade made an unbeaten 66 as Tasmania’s innings came to a close at 226.  Cameron Green took 6/30 for the home side.  Western Australia held a slim lead after their first innings ended on 243.  Shaun Marsh top scored with 80 in a return to form.

In Tasmania’s second innings, opener Jordan Silk made 56, and Matthew Wade scored 50, as they were all out for just 208.  Cameron Green took another three wickets.  Western Australia roped in the target with the loss of three wickets for a seven wicket victory.  Shaun Marsh made 98, while Hilton Cartwright finished unbeaten on 84.

Tasmania remain in second spot on the ladder, narrowly ahead of Western Australia.