SHEFFIELD SHIELD – WEEK SIX

December 11, 2018

TAS V QLD

Queensland won the toss and elected to send Tasmania into bat in their clash at Hobart.  The home side was reeling at 4/21, but recovered to make a modest 167, thanks to a 63 from in-form wicket keeper Matthew Wade.  Mark Steketee and Michael Neser each took three wickets for the visitors.

Queensland fared even worse with the bat, limping to a score of just 107.  Michael Neser top scored with 27, and newcomer Alex Pyecroft took 5/28 for Tasmania.  The home side rallied in the second innings and made what looked like a comfortable 353.  George Bailey top scored with 109, while Jordan Silk and Simon Milenko both made half centuries.

Queensland were left with the daunting task of needing 414 to win.  Matthew Renshaw fell for 27, before Joe Burns and Marnus Labuschagne put on a partnership of 126.  Burns went for 74, and Labuschagne for 78.  It was left to Jimmy Pierson and Michael Neser to rescue the game for Queensland.  Piersen was unbeaten on 75, and Neser not out 76 as the visitors reined in the total with four wickets to spare.  Michael Neser was named Player of the Match as Queensland completed a great escape.

NSW V SA

South Australia ventured to the Sydney Cricket Ground still looking for their first win of the season.  They batted first, and looked comfortable as openers Conor McInerney and Jake Weatherald put on a stand of 51.  Weatherald made 59, and Jake Lehmann scored 57 as the visitors looked to compile a big first innings total.  Tom Cooper notched 89, and Alex Carey was unbeaten on 110, but the tail folded quickly and South Australia was all out for 380.  Sean Abbott and Greg West each took three wickets for the home side.

In reply, Daniel Hughes and Nick Larkin put on an opening stand of 223 for New South Wales.  Hughes was dismissed for 134 and Larkin was out for 109.  Mosies Henriques went close to becoming their third player to make a century, but was caught and bowled by Conor McInerney for 99.  Wicket keeper Peter Nevill chipped in with 57 before New South Wales declared at 8/541.

South Australia were solid if not spectacular in their second innings.  Jake Lehmann top scored with 67 as the match finished in a draw with the visitors on 6/239.  Steve O’Keefe took four wickets for the home side, and Daniel Hughes was named Player of the Match, as New South Wales held on to second spot on the ladder.

VIC V WA

Competition leaders Victoria hosted Western Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and elected to bat first after winning the toss.  Opener Nic Maddinson made an impressive 162, and veteran Cameron White notched 119 as Victoria declared their innings at 9/424.  Glenn Maxwell chipped in with 57.

Western Australia were all out for 296 in reply.  Ashton Turner top scored with 80, while test hopefuls Mitchell Marsh and Marcus Stoinis each made 21.  Jon Holland took five wickets for the home side, and Scott Boland continued his good form, finishing with 4/81.

Travis Dean scored 68 and Will Pucovski made 67 as Victoria chased victory by declaring their second innings closed at 5/208.  Western Australia looked in deep trouble at 4/35, before Marcus Stoinis steadied the ship with 85.  Ashton Turner was unbeaten on 63 as the match finished in a draw with the visitors on 6/214.  Nic Maddinson, who was forced to retire hurt in the second innings, was named Player of the Match as Victoria stayed on top of the ladder.