SHEFFIELD SHIELD – WEEK FOUR

November 21, 2018

NSW V QLD

New South Wales faced Queensland in Canberra with both teams desperate for the win to keep their slim chances alive.  The Blues won the toss and elected to bat.  They were at 3/76 before Moises Henriques clicked into top gear, scoring 152 from 178 balls as New South Wales compiled a score of 279.  Mark Steketee was the pick of Queensland’s bowlers, taking 4/38.

Queensland fell just short of the total in reply, making 260.  Michael Neser was the unlikely top scorer with 62, while Marnus Labuschagne made 52.  Mark Steketee scored 43 from 41 balls towards the end of the innings.  Nathan Lyon took four wickets for New South Wales, while Pat Cummins finished with 3/41.

Openers Daniel Hughes and Nick Larkin put on an opening stand of 258 in New South Wales’ second innings.  Hughes was out for 116, and Larkin finished unbeaten on 175, as the Blues declared their innings at 3/260.

The run chase proved too much for Queensland, who crumbled to be all out for 216.  Jack Wildermuth top scored with 84.  Natahn Lyon took another five wickets to finish the match with nine, and Josh Hazelwood took 4/30.

SA V WA

South Australia were still looking for their first win in the competition when they met Western Australia in Adelaide.  The visitors won the toss and sent the home team into bat.  Conor McInerney scored 51, and Travis Head made 87, but the lower order collapsed, with the exception of Nick Winter who made an unbeaten 53.  South Australia were all out for 251.  Jhye Richardson was the best of the bowlers, taking five wickets.

Jhye Richardson was full of confidence, yet was an unlikely top scorer for Western Australia with 53 from 53 deliveries, as his team crashed to be all out for 207.  Daniel Worrall was at his best for South Australia, taking 7/64.  Joe Mennie took the other three wickets.

Jake Weatherfield and Conor McInerney got the home side off to a good start in the second innings, with a 62 run opening stand.  Tom Cooper made 49, and Harry Nielsen made 82, as the team compiled a score of 268.  Matthew Kelly took five wickets for Western Australia.

Set 313 to win, Western Australia were in turmoil at 2/24.  Mitchell Marsh joined his brother Shaun at the crease, and they put on a partnership of 83, before Mitchell was dismissed for 44.  Shaun Marsh went on to make an unbeaten 163, and was ably assisted by a patient 58 from William Bosisto, as the visitors ran down the target for the loss of five wickets.

TAS V VIC

Tasmania hosted competition leader Victoria, and were sent into bat.  The home side was skittled for just 81 runs.  Chris Tremain caused the most damage, finishing with 5/13, while James Pattinson took 3/13.  Scott Boland took the other two wickets.

Victoria were at 3/59, before veteran Cameron White stepped up with a solid 63.  Seb Gotch made 41, and Peter Siddle scored 42 as Victoria made a total of 282.  Riley Meredith was the pick of the Tasmanian bowlers, taking four wickets.

Tasmania vastly improved on their first innings effort by making an imposing 476 in their second stint.  Matthew Wade top scored with 137, and openers Jordan Silk and Alex Doolan both finished in the nineties.  Jackson Bird made an important 50 towards the end of the innings.  Peter Siddle took four wickets for Victoria.

Marcus Harris made 67, and Cameron White scored 41, before Matt Shrot and Seb Gotch guided Victoria to a six wicket victory, making an unbeaten 64 and 66 respectively.  Matthew Wade was named man of the match, but Victoria stayed on top of the table, unbeaten after five rounds.