Sheffield Shield day 2 wrap

The top three teams in the competition continued to improve their advantage on day two of their Sheffield Shield matches – South Australia and NSW remain in very strong positions, while Western Australia still have some work to do at home after claiming first innings points of the Tasmanians.

Queensland versus South Australia
SA’s Tom Cooper and Johan Botha resumed today at 4/278, looking to build a huge first innings total for the top ranked team in the competition. They brought up the 150 partnership and pushed on past 300 before Cooper was dismissed for a brilliant 175.

Botha then pushed on with Tim Ludeman before he was out seven shy of 100, as the Redbacks were dismissed for 403.

James Hopes was the pick of Queensland’s bowlers with four wickets.

Right from the early stages of the second innings Queensland were in trouble, as Chadd Sayers picked up Luke Pomersbach with the very first ball.

None of the top six made it past 20, as the hosts slipped to 6/57.

A 48 run partnership between Ben Cutting and Chris Hartley helped Queensland reach triple figures before they were bowled out for 138 in an ugly display with the bat.

Wickets were shared across the board for the Redbacks, with Sayers and Daniel Worrall picking up three each.

South Australia in command at stumps, currently 0/22 with a lead of 290.

NSW versus Victoria
Meanwhile, in New South Wales, Victoria were embarrassed by the hosts.

Resuming at 2/128, Scott Henry pushed on for a gutsy 92 and his partnership with Kurtis Patterson (94) put the Blues in a great position.

Peter Nevill then put together a swift innings compiling 10 boundaries, as he finished 100 not out and the Blues declared at 9/452 a lead well over 200.

The events that occurred after this were unbelievable.

Six overs were completed before stumps and Victoria fell incredibly to 3/0 at stumps. Yes, that is three wickets for 0 runs.

Aaron Finch, Peter Handscomb and Marcus Stoinis were all out for ducks as Doug Bollinger (1/0) and Trent Copeland (2/0) picked up the wickets.

Victoria’s Scott Boland and two night watchman James Muirhead have a big task to do tomorrow as New South Wales look to complete a massive victory at the SCG.

Western Australia versus Tasmania
Western Australia didn’t have it all their own way against Tasmania in the West.

Ben Hilfenhaus was terrific taking 6/82 – a deserving result after the quality bowling he displayed in the Big Bash without any real results.

Western Australia were 1/59 at stumps on day one and their top six couldn’t capitalise on starts. Marcus North (87) and Sam Whiteman (55 off 50 balls) were the notable scorers for the Warriors.

Saying this, Western Australia took first innings points and led by 31 runs as the third innings started.

After a solid start between Ed Cowan and Mark Cosgrove, Michael Hogan picked up Cosgrove (48) and then Jonathan Wells (0) as 0/64 became 2/64.

The game firmly in the balance at stumps, however Western Australia may have the edge.

Tasmania will return to the crease tomorrow at 2/78 with Cowan and George Bailey at the crease, effectively leading by just 47.

Work to be done by both teams in a crunch match, especially for the hosts.