Bulls topple table topping Vics in tight finish
QUEENSLAND has produced the upset of the Sheffield Shield season to-date, toppling the ladder leading Victoria by 23 runs at the MCG yesterday. Mark Steketee proved a thorn in the hosts’ side, taking the decisive wicket and bolstering the Bulls’ totals with crucial tailend runs.
>> SCROLL to see the full scorecard
Victoria was set 273 for victory early on day three after Steketee (53) and Jimmy Peirson (82) helped drag Queensland from a precarious 7-67, to its second innings total of 223. Steketee was also the second-top scorer in his side’s first dig with an unbeaten 44 batting at nine.
The experienced Peter Handscomb carried Victoria’s chase with 78 off 139 deliveries, but saw consistent wickets fall around him and was ultimately felled by Mitch Swepson. The leggie picked up 4-88 before Steketee (3-46) claimed the final two wickets to seal victory.
Queensland had started the day batting at eight wickets down, adding 28 runs to its total. In response, Victoria made a horror start, losing Marcus Harris to a second-ball duck. Barring Handscomb, opener Campbell Kellaway was the only recognised batter to get a start with his solid 30.
Dogged lower order runs from Sam Elliott (30 off 92) and Xavier Crone (28 off 51) kept the game alive after Victoria had fallen to 5-115. With plenty of time left to chase, the hosts proved plucky but were delivered a blow to their hold on top spot heading into the break.
Bowlers dominated for much of the match, which featured three five-wicket hauls. Vic quicks Mitch Perry (5-33) and Fergus O’Neill (5-51) teamed up as chief destroyers in the first innings, while Bulls frontliner Xavier Bartlett claimed 5-32 to dismantle the hosts’ reply.
Queensland’s first win of the 2024/25 season yielded a move up to fourth place, though two matches are still ongoing. The Sheffield Shield will move aside for the latest Big Bash campaign, set to return for a trio of triple-headers, starting with fixtures from February 8-11.
SCORECARD
RESULT: Queensland def. Victoria by 23 runs.
POTM: Mark Steketee (Queensland)
TOSS: Victoria won the toss and elected to bowl.
1st Innings: Queensland 10-172 (54.3)
Matthew Renshaw 59 (99), Mark Steketee 44* (40), Jack Wildermuth 17 (43)
Mitchell Perry 5-33 (14), Fergus O’Neill 5-51 (15.3), Todd Murphy 0-19 (5)
2nd Innings: Victoria 10-123 (54.0)
Marcus Harris 41 (112), Peter Handscomb 24 (49), Tom Rogers 11 (31)
Xavier Bartlett 5-32 (13), Mark Steketee 3-32 (14), Jack Wildermuth 2-25 (13)
Queensland led by 49 runs
3rd Innings: Queensland 10-223 (69.4)
Jimmy Peirson 82 (147), Mark Steketee 53 (125), Matthew Renshaw 24 (29)
Fergus O’Neill 4-22 (15.4), Sam Elliott 3-62 (18), Xavier Crone 2-55 (14)
Queensland led by 272 runs
4th Innings: Victoria 10-249 (89.5)
Peter Handscomb 78 (139), Sam Elliott 30 (92), Campbell Kellaway 30 (68)
Mitch Swepson 4-88 (30), Mark Steketee 3-46 (20.5), Jack Wildermuth 2-16 (13)
Queensland won by 23 runs
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