VICTORIAN opener Nic Maddinson returned to form with a superb Sheffield Shield ton over the weekend, putting his side in the box seat against South Australia. The stylish leftie compiled 104 runs at Melbourne’s CitiPower Centre as the hosts took a decisive first innings lead.

>> SCROLL for scorecards from all three matches

The Vics posted 288 in response to South Australia’s 173 having sent the Redbacks in to bat. After stumps on day two, the visitors are chasing parity at 2-66, still 49 runs in arrears. Henry Hunt (26) and Nathan McAndrew (12) will resume at the crease on day three, which has been delayed due to rain.

Meanwhile up at The Gabba, Ben McDermott played a lone hand in Queensland’s first innings dig of 282. Coming in at number five against his old side, Tasmania, the big hitter peeled off an unbeaten 146 to give the Bulls something to bowl at on their home deck.

Tasmania was skittled for 219 as Mark Steketee bagged 4-58. Gabe Bell (6-33) went two better for the Tigers, keeping his side in the contest with Queensland reeling at 8-114 at stumps on day two. The Bulls lead sits at 177, with many of the second innings runs attributed to Jack Clayton (66*).

The third match of a bumper Shield triple-header is also evenly poised, with New South Wales close to securing a first innings lead against Western Australia at the WACA Ground. The Blues will begin day three on 7-244 after WA notched 256 on day one, having been sent in to bat.

Sam Whiteman (107) was the standout Warriors batter, while Josh Philippe‘s cameo of 52* helped prop up the total. The Blues have Moises Henriques to thank for their fighting chance, with the skipper’s patient 95 (210) coming after he arrived at the crease at 3-30.

>> Refresher: 2023/24 Sheffield Shield

SCORECARDS

VICTORIA vs. SOUTH AUSTRALIA
CitiPower Centre, Melbourne

Stumps, Day 2

1st Innings: South Australia 10-173 (70.3)
Ben Manenti 47* (62), Harry Nielsen 45 (96), Jake Lehmann 37 (40)
Mitchell Perry 3-43 (15), Xavier Crone 3-46 (9.3), Fergus O’Neill 2-21 (20)

2nd Innings: Victoria: 10-288 (88.3)
Nic Maddinson 104 (182), Sam Harper 46 (64), Mitchell Perry 38 (80)
Liam Scott 4-18 (12.3), Wes Agar 2-61 (16), Brendan Doggett 2-78 (20)

Victoria led by 115 runs.

3rd Innings: South Australia 2-66 (20.0)
Henry Hunt 26* (50), Nathan McAndrew 12* (18)
Todd Murphy 1-6 (2), Fergus O’Neill 1-21 (8)

South Australia trails by 49 runs with 8 wickets remaining.

QUEENSLAND vs. TASMANIA
The Gabba, Brisbane

Stumps, Day 2

1st Innings: 10-282 (84.4)
Ben McDermott 146* (218), Michael Neser 47 (75), Jack Clayton 26 (66)
Gabe Bell 4-40 (14), Billy Stanlake 4-50 (19.4), Jarrod Freeman 2-74 (21)

2nd Innings: 10-219 (59.4)
Caleb Jewell 37 (79), Charlie Wakim 35 (66), Beau Webster 28 (31)
Mark Steketee 4-58 (14.4), Gurinder Sandhu 2-37 (13), Liam Guthrie 2-50 (10)

Queensland led by 63 runs.

3rd Innings: Queensland 8-114 (34.0)
Jack Clayton 66* (85), Ben McDermott 16 (30), Angus Lovell 8 (10)
Gabe Bell 6-31 (13), Billy Stanlake 2-26 (9), Jarrod Freeman 0-4 (4)

Queensland leads by 177 runs.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA vs. NEW SOUTH WALES
WACA Ground, Perth

Stumps, Day 2

1st Innings: Western Australia 10-256 (88.0)
Sam Whiteman 107 (188), Josh Philippe 52* (76), Cameron Bancroft 42 (100)
Chris Green 3-33 (16), Jackson Bird 3-37 (20), Jack Edwards 2-53 (17)

2nd Innings: New South Wales 7-244 (96.0)
Moises Henriques 95 (210), Blake Nikitaras 34 (108), Jack Edwards 34 (88)
Joel Paris 3-45 (22), Corey Rocchiccioli 3-96 (32), Charlie Stobo 1-36 (25)

New South Wales trails by 12 runs with 3 wickets remaining.