Redbacks draw the Short straw as Vics mount fightback
VICTORIA has fought back hard in its crucial Sheffield Shield clash with South Australia, working into the box seat after day one at Junction Oval. On a day where 15 wickets fell, in-form Vic batter Matt Short conjured a better than run-a-ball 70 to give his side something to defend in the four-day contest.
The hosts were skittled for 169 in just the 54th over, though the modest total gave them plenty of time to subsequently tear through South Australia’s top order. That was exactly how things panned out, as Mitchell Perry (3-28) removed three of the Redbacks’ top four batters before stumps.
Heading into day two, the visitors will resume at 5-75 with Jake Lehmann (8) and nightwatchman Wes Agar (5) at the crease, still 94 runs in arrears. Fergus O’Neill (1-17) and Jon Holland were Victoria’s other wicket takers for the day, with Nathan McSweeney‘s 23 his side’s top score thus far.
Earlier, after Victoria won the toss and elected to bat, Agar went to work with the ball. The Vic native combined with Nathan McAndrew (2-32) to remove the top order, though the Redbacks’ progress was halted by Short’s counterattacking innings at number five, which included 10 boundaries.
The highly anticipated return of Glenn Maxwell lasted just nine deliveries as he became the first of Jordan Buckingham‘s two victims. Meanwhile, South Australian fly-in keeper Harry Matthias was called up to debut on the morning of, after Harry Nielsen fell ill. His catch off Ben Manenti‘s bowling ensured the removal of Short.
The back-end of the Sheffield Shield season rolls on with day two of this clash currently in progress, while clashes between Tasmania and Western Australia, and Queensland and New South Wales also get underway today.
With two regular season rounds left to play, Western Australia remains clear atop the standings, with four sides locked in a bottleneck which will produce the Warriors’ fellow finalist.
SCORECARD
1st Innings: Victoria 169 (53.3)
Matt Short 70 (69), Travis Dean 34 (75), Marcus Harris 15 (20)
Wes Agar 5-54 (14.3), Nathan McAndrew 2-32 (13), Jordan Buckingham 2-38 (12)
2nd Innings: South Australia 5-75 (42.0)
Nathan McSweeney 23 (60), Jake Carder 20 (54), Daniel Drew 14 (83)
Mitchell Perry 3-28 (12), Jon Holland 1-14 (9), Fergus O’Neill 1-17 (12)
Victoria leads by 94 runs.
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