Victoria take the honours out of Day1 of the Sheffield Shield final, reducing the Southern Redbacks to 8 for 325 at the end of 90 overs.
The day ebbed and flowed, back and forth for each team. The Redbacks looked in a position to dominate on numerous occasions but were reduced by the Bushrangers who took their wickets in clumps.
After a fast start that saw Jake Weatherald get off to a flyer with Mark Cosgrove in the slow going at the other end, Weatherald would be removed for 66 at better than a run a ball. The end of his innings was beginning to look like a One Day game and he was beginning to drag the match away from the Busrhrangers.
Cosgrove was then joined by Sam Raphael and the pair built a solid stand through lunch. Jon Holland, who ended up with three wickets and bowled 29 overs would be the difference maker throughout the day’s play though.
A clever bit of bowling got rid of Raphael and that brought on a flow of wickets as Jake Lehman and Travis Head went cheaply.
After Victoria wasted the first new ball of the match on Chris Tremain, who went off with injury towards the end of the days play and Scott Boland they had got themselves into a very strong position.
Alex Carey and Alex Ross however, would then join at the wicket and amass quite a partnership leaving the Bushrangers up against the wall again.
A quick flurry of wickets at the end of the day though, as the Bushrangers used the second new ball effectively has reduced the Redbacks to almost all out at the end of Day 1.
Whichever way this match goes, with a good weather forecast it certainly doesn’t look like it will be a draw, but the Bushrangers need to pick up the remaining two wickets early tomorrow while the Redbacks need to hang around for as long as possible and add whatever runs they can get.
Anything less than 350, you would have to think is below par on this wicket which didn’t look like it was doing an awful lot. Particularly with no spinners, and the way Jon Holland bowled South Australia could be in some trouble.
South Australia 8/325 (90)
Jake Weatherald – Caught Wade, Bowled Christian 66 (61)
Mark Cosgrove – LBW, Bowled Tremain 42 (102)
Sam Raphael – Bowled Jon Holland 29 (87)
Travis Head – Caught Cameron White, Bowled Christian 21 (21)
Jake Lehman – Bowled Jon Holland 14 (25)
Alex Ross – Bowled Bolland 72 (108)
Alex Carey – Caught Peter Handscomb, Bowled Jon Holland 50 (73)
Joe Mennie – Caught Matthew Wade, Bowled Fawad Ahmed 1 (10)
Chadd Sayers – 20
Daniel Worrall – 5
Chris Tremain 1/65 (14)
Scott Boland 1/60 (19)
Marcus Stoinis 0/34 (8)
Daniel Christian 2/43 (11)
Jon Holland 3/86 (29)
Fawad Ahmed 1/33 (9)
The 2015-16 Sheffield Shield season reaches its climax with the Southern Redbacks looking to win for the first time in 20 years against the Victorian Bushrangers at Gilderol Stadium in Glenelg. Join The Roar for live scores of Day 1 from 11am (AEDT).
Qualification for the final of the season came down to the very last round, with four teams still in the hunt.
In the end, it would come down to a few draws and some bonus points. The Redbacks were fourth coming into the last round, but a smashing win by an innings and 78 runs over the Tasmanian Tigers, combined with the Queensland Bulls losing to the Western Warriors by an innings and six runs has seen the Redbacks leapfrog everyone into first spot.
The Bushrangers on the other hand had their second draw of the season against the New South Wales Blues and managed to hang onto second spot thanks to the Bulls suffering that huge loss.
So the stage is set. The Redbacks thumping win must be taken in context. The Tigers are glued to the bottom of the table and have been all season only winning two of their 10 matches. So, while yes the Tigers were knocked over for 91 and 177 with Chadd Sayers taking a combined 10 wickets, it can’t be taken out of proportion.
Victoria only saved their place in the final thanks to a massive, match-saving innings from Cameron White. He would score 97 from 253 balls, batting through most of Day 4 in Alice Springs, under huge amounts of pressure to hang on.
So often, the home team in a Sheffield Shield Final will play for the draw, only needing that to win the competition. Redbacks coach Jamie Siddons has come out swinging though, declaring his side will play for the victory.
That may not be a bad tactic. The Redbacks batsmen have struggled on various occasions this season, and their pace bowling arsenal led by Sayers and Daniel Worall has been the strong point.
The Bushrangers will need everything to go right for them, as they aim to become the first away team to win a Shield final in a decade. Their pace attack will play second fiddle to Jon Holland and Fawad Ahmed, particularly as the match moves into the later stages.
The away team won on both occasions when the teams met earlier in the season, with the Redbacks winning the first and then the Bushrangers winning a day-night clash in round seven.
Prediction
Victoria could just do this. South Australia’s top order looks fragile.
Be sure to join The Roar for live scores of the first day in the 2015-16 Sheffield Shield final from 11am (AEDT) and don’t forget to add your own comments in the section below.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde
Scott Pryde
Expert
Join us again tomorrow here on The Roar for updates throughout Day 2 from 11am (AEDT). Until then, Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
End of Day 1: Victoria take the honours out of Day1 of the Sheffield Shield final, reducing the Southern Redbacks to 8 for 325 at the end of 90 overs. The day ebbed and flowed, back and forth for each team. The Redbacks looked in a position to dominate on numerous occasions but were reduced by the Bushrangers who took their wickets in clumps. After a fast start that saw Jake Weatherald get off to a flyer with Mark Cosgrove in the slow going at the other end, Weatherald would be removed for 66 at better than a run a ball. The end of his innings was beginning to look like a One Day game and he was beginning to drag the match away from the Busrhrangers. Cosgrove was then joined by Sam Raphael and the pair built a solid stand through lunch. Jon Holland, who ended up with three wickets and bowled 29 overs would be the difference maker throughout the day's play though. A clever bit of bowling got rid of Raphael and that brought on a flow of wickets as Jake Lehman and Travis Head went cheaply. After Victoria wasted the first new ball of the match on Chris Tremain, who went off with injury towards the end of the days play and Scott Boland they had got themselves into a very strong position. Alex Carey and Alex Ross however, would then join at the wicket and amass quite a partnership leaving the Bushrangers up against the wall again. A quick flurry of wickets at the end of the day though, as the Bushrangers used the second new ball effectively has reduced the Redbacks to almost all out at the end of Day 1. Whichever way this match goes, with a good weather forecast it certainly doesn't look like it will be a draw, but the Bushrangers need to pick up the remaining two wickets early tomorrow while the Redbacks need to hang around for as long as possible and add whatever runs they can get. Anything less than 350, you would have to think is below par on this wicket which didn't look like it was doing an awful lot. Particularly with no spinners, and the way Jon Holland bowled South Australia could be in some trouble. South Australia 8/325 (90) Jake Weatherald – Caught Wade, Bowled Christian 66 (61) Mark Cosgrove – LBW, Bowled Tremain 42 (102) Sam Raphael – Bowled Jon Holland 29 (87) Travis Head – Caught Cameron White, Bowled Christian 21 (21) Jake Lehman – Bowled Jon Holland 14 (25) Alex Ross - Bowled Bolland 72 (108) Alex Carey - Caught Peter Handscomb, Bowled Jon Holland 50 (73) Joe Mennie - Caught Matthew Wade, Bowled Fawad Ahmed 1 (10) Chadd Sayers - 20 Daniel Worrall - 5 Chris Tremain 1/65 (14) Scott Boland 1/60 (19) Marcus Stoinis 0/34 (8) Daniel Christian 2/43 (11) Jon Holland 3/86 (29) Fawad Ahmed 1/33 (9)
Scott Pryde
Expert
That's stumps on Day 1 and the Bushrangers have once again fought back to have the Redbacks 8/325. Full day's report to come momentarily.
Dan ced
Guest
Glad Carey got some runs, and a few beautiful sixes (from my viewing point). We looked in trouble when Carey came to the crease. Ross has great potential, might get an AUS A cap next time around.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Just a quick update here - Alex Carey and Alex Ross are firing along, with the Bushrangers bowlers struggling badly. New ball due in 7 overs, 17 to go for the day. South Australia 5/279 (73) Jake Weatherald – Caught Wade, Bowled Christian 66 (61) Mark Cosgrove – LBW, Bowled Tremain 42 (102) Sam Raphael – Bowled Jon Holland 29 (87) Travis Head – Caught Cameron White, Bowled Christian 21 (21) Jake Lehman – Bowled Jon Holland 14 (25) Alex Ross 56 Alex Carey 47 Chris Tremain 1/65 (14) Scott Boland 0/60 (17) Marcus Stoinis 0/34 (8) Daniel Christian 2/43 (11) Jon Holland 2/67 (22) Fawad Ahmed 0/4 (1)
Scott Pryde
Expert
TEA DAY 1 Jake Lehman and Alex Ross were building nicely for the Redbacks, however the Victorians have really kept going, plugging away and bowling tight and consistently, absolutely nothing what they were like in the first session. When Jake Lehman was dismissed by Jon Holland who has been without a doubt the pick of the bowlers the pressure really started to build on South Australia. Alex Ross and Alex Carey have been going about their business fairly steadily and will need to keep bulding after tea. The Redbacks, you feel need at least 350. It's been impressive to see their positivity, and chasing a victory though. Fawad Ahmed has also come into the attack, bowling an over before the Tea break. South Australia 5/207 (60) Jake Weatherald – Caught Wade, Bowled Christian 66 (61) Mark Cosgrove – LBW, Bowled Tremain 42 (102) Sam Raphael – Bowled Jon Holland 29 (87) Travis Head – Caught Cameron White, Bowled Christian 21 (21) Jake Lehman - Bowled Jon Holland 14 (25) Alex Ross 13 Alex Carey 18 Chris Tremain 1/56 (12) Scott Boland 0/49 (14) Marcus Stoinis 0/20 (4) Daniel Christian 2/28 (9) Jon Holland 2/47 (20) Fawad Ahmed 0/4 (1) Thoughts Roarers?
Scott Pryde
Expert
The Redbacks are really begining to falter in Glenelg. Couple of wickets sees Travis Head and Sam Raphael back into the sheds with Dan Christian removing Head - a good ball back of a length and Head played out in front of the pads getting the edge into the slips cordon. Holland has now also got rid of Raphael. Head had a fairly strong start to the innings and was really looking to take the attack to the Victorians, indicating they certainly won't be rolling over and playing for the draw at any point. Jake Lehman and Alex Ross under plenty of pressure now at the crease. Still no sign of Fawad Ahmed South Australia 4/162 (46) Jake Weatherald – Caught Wade, Bowled Christian 66 (61) Mark Cosgrove – LBW, Bowled Tremain 42 (102) Sam Raphael - Bowled Jon Holland 29 (87) Travis Head - Caught Cameron White, Bowled Christian 21 (21) Jake Lehman 1 Alex Ross 0 Chris Tremain 1/56 (12) Scott Boland 0/40 (11) Marcus Stoinis 0/20 (4) Daniel Christian 2/23 (7) Jon Holland 1/21 (13)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Curse of the commentator! Cosgrove gone LBW! Tremain makes the breakthrough with a cracking ball that came in, kept a little low and struck Cosgrove just under the knee. Travis Head the new man in. South Australia 2/132 (37) Jake Weatherald – Caught Wade, Bowled Christian 66 (61) Mark Cosgrove - LBW, Bowled Tremain 42 (102) Sam Raphael 20 Travis Head 0 Chris Tremain 1/36 (10) Scott Boland 0/28 (8) Marcus Stoinis 0/20 (4) Daniel Christian 1/16 (4) Jon Holland 0/1 (3)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Raphael and Cosgrove are going along really well here, not at a real speedy rate but just keeping the scoreboard ticking over and the pressure off. Victoria have certainly improved their bowling, but it still isn't good enough to crack South Australia. Fawad Ahmed still yet to bowl which is a bit of a surprise for mine, particularly considering the job Jon Holland is doing and the fact that the pacemen look less than threatening out there. South Australia 1/131 (36) Jake Weatherald – Caught Wade, Bowled Christian 66 (61) Mark Cosgrove 42 Sam Raphael 20 Chris Tremain 0/36 (9) Scott Boland 0/40 (11) Marcus Stoinis 0/20 (4) Daniel Christian 1/16 (4) Jon Holland 0/16 (8)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Second session been under way for about 10 minutes. Raphael and Cosgrove going along nicely.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the first session Roarers? The Afternoon session gets underway at 1:30pm (AEDT), 1pm local time.
Scott Pryde
Expert
LUNCH, DAY 1 It has been a fantastic first session for the hosts, as they go to lunch just one wicket down with Mark Cosgrove and Sam Raphael at the crease. Cosgrove started rather shakily but worked his way into the innings well. He has been patient and played a very solid hand throughout the morning, knowing how important the first session was. Certainly, since the last update he has played his best cricket. Raphael came in at first drop and has started solidly as well, certainly in no rush. Because of the massive innings from Weatherald though, the Redbacks are still going at just a tick under 4 runs per over. Daniel Christian the pick of the bowlers after the Bushrangers wasted the new ball with Chris Tremain and Scott Boland. Jon Holland came on at the end of the first session and bowled quite well, certainly a little bit of a surprise that Fawad Ahmed didn't get a bowl at the end of the session. Mark Stoinis and Daniel Christian also bowled pretty well, getting their line and length right. South Australia 1/100 (28) Jake Weatherald – Caught Wade, Bowled Christian 66 (61) Mark Cosgrove 26 Sam Raphael 6 Chris Tremain 0/33 (8) Scott Boland 0/28 (8) Marcus Stoinis 0/20 (4) Daniel Christian 1/16 (4) Jon Holland 0/1 (3)
Scott Pryde
Expert
And just as I say that we have the fall of the first wicket. Daniel Christian the man to strike, removing Weatherald for 66 from 61 balls with an awesome 13 boundaries. The Bushrangers needed that one, because the match was really starting to get away from them. Weatherald went for another shot but only succeeded in edging it through to Matthew Wade who completed the catch. Cosgrove now to be joined by Sam Raphael South Australia 1/91 (19) Jake Weatherald - Caught Wade, Bowled Christian 66 (61) Mark Cosgrove 23 Sam Raphael 1 Chris Tremain 0/33 (8) Scott Boland 0/24 (6) Marcus Stoinis 0/20 (3) Daniel Christian 1/13 (2)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well, this is incredible right now from the Redbacks or more to the point Jake Weatherald. He a man on fire, hitting boundary after boundary and to say the Bushrangers are struggling would be an understatement. It's almost one day stuff here with the run rate at about 5 runs per over. The Bushrangers really aren't getting any assistance from the wicket and seem powerless to stop it. Sheffield Shield final or One Day final? Do the Redbacks know something we don't? In fact, the Redbacks have scored 37 runs in four overs since drinks South Australia 0/85 (18) Jake Weatherald 66 Mark Cosgrove 18 Chris Tremain 0/33 (8) Scott Boland 0/24 (6) Marcus Stonis 0/20 (3) Daniel Christian 0/7 (1)
Scott Pryde
Expert
DRINKS, Morning Session, DAY 1 South Australia are dominating after the first hour of play then, and it really isn't the typical home team bat first and defend playing for the draw. Cosgrove has struggled his way through, but is really starting to build his way into the inngings now. Jake Weatherald on the other hand is batting brilliantly, producing all the shots and playing them well. He did put a thick edge through the slips not so long ago, but it ran away for a boundary. Boland and Tremain really wasted the new ball and have now brought Marcus Stoinis on in the over before drinks. The fact that the all rounder has come on before the spin tells me the pitch is not going to take much spin early in this match. Interestingly though, the Redbacks have no spinners at all so read into that what you will. Victoria really need a strong second hour here or this match is going to start slipping away. Clearly, no defensive intent from the Redbacks and Jamie Siddons meant what he said by "we are going to win the game". South Australia 0/52 (14) Jake Weatherald 36 Mark Cosgrove 15 Chris Tremain 0/21 (7) Scott Boland 0/24 (6) Marcus Stoinis 0/6 (1)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Boland and Tremain are bowling, way, way too short out here and not consistent enough at whatever the plan is they are trying to execute. Weatherald in particular is having an absolute field day out there, driving, cutting and pulling - just playing fantastic cricket shots and at a strike rate of around 00 early on, which let's be honest is not something you see too often in the Sheffield Shield final from the home side. He is really middling most things he hits as well which is a positive sign for him. Cosgrove is just struggling a fraction as he went almost 20 minutes without scoring a run. He is fighting hard though, hanging in there and doing a job for the team. Will be interesting to see when the change of bowler comes here. Victoria are really on the back foot early on, having very little if anything go for them. South Australia 0/36 (11) Jake Weatherald 27 Mark Cosgrove 8 Chris Tremain 0/20 (6) Scott Boland 0/15 (5)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Well, If Mark Cosgrove was looking shaky Jake Weatherald is anything but. He is motoring along, punishing anything ordinary through the gaps and making sure he respects anything that looks half decent. Boland and Tremain are both offenders, but they simply aren't consistent enough out there. Weatherald has hit a few beautiful drives and Cosgrove is starting to settle but still defending or leaving most of the balls he faces. Certainly, the fact that it is a Shield Final isn't worrying Weatherald who is almost at a run a ball. There was a half shout for LBW in the only speck of light for the Bushrangers but nothing more than that. Was pitching well outside the leg stump. South Australia 0/19 (6) Jake Weatherald 16 Mark Cosgrove 2 Chris Tremain 0/8 (3) Scott Boland 0/10 (3)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Cosgrove looking fairly shaky here against the bowling of Tremain and Boland. Defends the odd one solidly and grabs a single on the last ball of the Boland over but he needs to work his way in to the match. No demons in this pitch at all, probably as expected. Cosgrove has faced 14 of the balls which is why it is easy to pass judgement on him, compared to Weatherald who has only faced four. Boland and Tremain are hitting the pitch hard, but not getting much out of it at this early stage. South Australia 0/3 (3) Jake Weatherald 1 Mark Cosgrove 2 Chris Tremain 0/2 (2) Scott Boland 0/1 (1)
Scott Pryde
Expert
Scott Pryde
Expert
Players are out in the middle - just about ready for a start. Chris Tremain to take the new ball and Jake Weatherald on strike. He plays a nice looking cover drive straight away and grabs a single. Mark Cosgrove with a couple of defensive shots to start things off. He then works one away through square leg off the hips. Weatherald leaves the last two. South Australia 0/2 Jake Weathereld 1 Mark Cosgrove 1 Chris Tremain 0/2 (1)