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The Victorian Bushrangers have taken their second straight Sheffield Shield, and become the first away team to win the final in 20 years with a seven wicket win over the Southern Redbacks.
It was always going to be a tough ask for the Redbacks on Day 5, having to take eight wickets and only having 98 runs to defend, but the way they were torn down highlights the Bushrangers dominance right throughout the match.
Marcus Stoinis and Peter Handscomb were the main men, as they took apart one Travis Head over for 27 runs. Stoinis would end with 72, getting himself out just before the end of play while Handscomb ended up with 61 not out at almost a run a ball.
Final Score
Victoria win by seven wickets
South Australia 1st Innings – 10/340 (93.3)
Victoria 1st Innings – 10/399 (121.2)
South Australia 2nd Innings – 10/251 (102.5)
Victoria 2nd Innings – 3/196 (51)
The Victorians Bushrangers are in the driver’s seat, with the Southern Redbacks needing a minor miracle to win the Sheffield Shield final. Join The Roar for live scores of the final day’s play from 11am (AEDT).
The Bushrangers should become the first away team in 20 years to win the final.
The home team, a right earned by finishing first, only has to draw the match to take home the prize, but the Redbacks have made a right mess of this game.
Coach Jamie Siddons came out swinging before the match started, saying they weren’t going to be trying to draw the game, but it has backfired.
They were aggressive on Day 1 after winning the toss and electing to bat, ending the first day’s play at 8 for 325. They lost wickets in bunches though, and would have been less than impressed after a 90-run opening stand between Jake Weatherald and Mark Cosgrove.
From there, it has been one disaster after the next for South Australia. They crashed to be all out for 340, before conceding a 59-run first innings deficit with Chadd Sayers going down injured. Their top order then faltered, as it has done on a number of occasions this season.
Alex Ross (71) and Jake Weatherald (96) banded together, but the damage had been done. The tail fell away rapidly, with the Redbacks eventually dismissed for 251.
The Bushrangers were set just 193 for victory, and made a very positive start before stumps were drawn on Day 4, reaching a total of 2 for 95.
They were certainly in no rush, especially after losing Rob Quiney for just two. Travis Dean steadied the ship, making a half century to go with his first-innings century, along with Marcus Stoinis and Peter Handscomb who are 17 and 18 not out respectively.
The lack of a front-line spinner is really hurting the Redbacks. Jon Holland, who has been on fire for Victoria, took five wickets in the second innings. On a pitch that has played relatively low and slow, it is tough to understand why the Redbacks wouldn’t have found a spinner, even with Adam Zampa in India for the World T20.
With the Bushrangers requiring just another 98 runs and eight wickets left in hand, you would have to expect they will get the job done from here.
But the Redbacks weren’t even supposed to make the final a few weeks ago, let alone host it, so you just never know – their pace attack got them to the final in the first place.
Cricket can be a very, very funny game.
Be sure to join The Roar for live scores of the final day in the Sheffield Shield final from 11am (AEDT) and don’t forget to add your own comments in the section below.
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