With just a single day remaining in the Sheffield Shield games across the country, games are really beginning to take shape, with games due to go down to the wire in two of the three matches.
Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Play was heavily disrupted today at the SCG as the weather played havoc with New South Wales’ hopes for an outright victory over Queensland.
Rain delayed the start of the day’s play by nearly two hours, and further interrupted the afternoon and evening sessions. However, despite the disruption, the Blues were able to claim a first innings lead without any further loss of wickets.
Centuries from Patterson (126) and Carters (178*) bolstered the NSW total in a partnership of 212 as the Blues inched further ahead at a run rate of just over 2.7 runs per over, proving patience is the way to go on this pitch.
Queensland struggled for bowlers, with pacemen Feldman (0-26) and Cutting (0-10) only managing 12 and four overs respectively after struggling with tightness and a groin strain – both are awaiting results of scans. The reduced number of overs played today something of a blessing for the depleted Bulls attack.
Without two of their main strike bowlers, Queensland were always going to struggle, and it fell to Hopes (3-82) to bowl 41 overs as the only remaining pace bowler in the side. Spinners Boyce (2-132) and debutant Brimblecombe (1-115) shared 80 overs, with Labuschagne (0-17) chipping in with four overs.
It was Hopes, taking on a mountain of work with his two fast bowling teammates injured, who broke the double century fourth wicket partnership between Patterson and Carters, when he bowled Patterson.
Brimblecombe got his first first-class wicket when Khawaja caught the Blues skipper Henriques (21), and Nevill (5) followed soon after, caught off Hopes by Hartley.
Abbott remains not out on 20 overnight with man of the day Carters, who ended the day 178 not out, his highest first class score. With a result looking unlikely, he may be allowed to continue in the morning to record a huge score. Hopefully, the weather will hold out on the last day.
Bellerive Oval, Hobart
Tasmania wrested the initiative from the Redbacks in Hobart, bowling South Australia out for 302 on day three, taking the first innings points and a 60 run lead into the second innings, before extending that lead to 236 at the close.
Cosgrove (79) was the first to fall for South Australia just after the drinks break, drawing a stunning catch from Bails at midwicket off the bowling of Fekete (3-58). An unlucky break turned even worse for South Australia soon after, as Doherty (1-32) found the edge of Head (64) leaving the Redbacks vulnerable with two new batsmen, five wickets down.
The Tigers got a further breakthrough before lunch when Fekete drew the edge of Ludeman (20) leaving the Redbacks 6-240 at lunch.
Jackson Bird (2-74) got in on the act with his first wicket of the game, trapping Mennie (7) lbw. Lawford (10) was next to go as Hilfenhaus (3-78) struck for his second of the innings. Sayers (3) and Botha (70) followed not long after, giving Tasmania a 60 run lead.
Tasmania started their second innings under bright blue skies, but losing the early wicket of Jordan Silk (9) – trapped lbw by Putland – put a slight dampener on the occasion for the home fans. Ed Cowan and Alex Doohan were able to survive until tea, as Tasmania went into the dressing room 1-41, a lead of 101.
Doolan (19) did not last long after tea however, falling to Botha. This brought George Bailey (22) to the crease, and he didn’t last long either clean bowled by Mennie. Wells (2) was next to go, the South Australian bowlers striking back hard at the Tasmanians.
Ed Cowan continued his good form, notching up yet another century to push for selection in the next Test as Rogers continues to struggle for form at the top of the order. Cowan has recorded scores of 100, 105, 147 and today’s 111* this summer, and his ton today helped rescue Tasmania from what would otherwise have been a much lower total.
Sayers (1-33), Putland (1-39), Mennie (1-55) and Botha (1-22) took the wickets for South Australia, and Lawford (0-31) was economical but unlucky and wicketless.
Cowan remains not out overnight with Faulker (5*), and Tasmania will need to look for quick runs in the morning in order to force a result. They are currently 236 runs ahead, setting up a fascinating final day.
WACA, Perth
Victoria wrested the initiative from previous ladder leaders Western Australia with a dominant display on day three that will almost certainly lead to a result tomorrow.
The day started well for WA, with Voges reaching his century shortly after the resumption, however that joy turned to disappointment almost immediately when Whiteman (19) was caught by Quiney off Maxwells bowling.
Voges (101) departed just nine runs later, and then the tail followed shortly after when Agar (12), Rimmington (17) and Hogan (8) all fell, WA collapsing to 287 all out, loosing their last five wickets for just 68 runs.
Boland (3-43) was the pick of the Victorian bowlers, Maxwell (2-25) did well with his five overs, and Stoinis (1-30), Tremain (1-57), Christian (1-50) – who went for an astonishing seven runs per over – Hastings (1-42) and Ahmed (1-29) all picked up a wicket each.
Victoria took to the middle looking to build on a first innings lead of 63, and negotiated a tricky 25 minute session before lunch without loss.
Rimmington (1-50) made the breakthrough for the home side, with Quiney (29) caught behind leaving Victoria 1-80. The Bushrangers put the hammer down after that wicket, looking to pile on runs as quickly as possible, and Stoinis reached 99 off 92 balls before agonisingly being caught in the gully just one run short of his century off Mackin’s (2-81) bowling.
Christian (105*) and White (91) proceeded to go at around a run a ball, with Dan Christian making his century off just 96 balls. Whites wicket triggered a sporting declaration on 341, a lead of 404 runs.
The Western Australia bowlers were really taken to the sword, with Behrendorff (0-43), Hogan (0-48) and Agar (0-105) all wicketless and in Agar and Mackin’s case, very expensive.
The Warriors had an awkward spell to negotiate before the close, and they got off to the worst possible start by loosing Bancroft for a duck off the bowling of Tremain (1-5).
They dealt with the remaining overs without alarm, ending the day on 1-26, but with a huge uphill battle on to save the match. Klinger (12*) and Beaton (10*) will need to dig in and bat deep tomorrow, with the Warriors still 379 runs behind.
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