The Victorian Bushrangers might have taken the Day 1 honours by the smallest of margins, but they need to get well ahead of the match before they bat last against the Southern Redbacks. Join The Roar for live scores of Day 2 of the Sheffield Shield final from 11am (AEDT).
The Redbacks got off to a flying start on Day 1, and you wouldn’t have known that they only needed a draw to take home the ultimate prize in Australian domestic cricket, however a spirited fightback from the Bushrangers limited them to a score of 8 wickets for 325 by the end of the day from their 90 overs.
Jake Weatherald was the key early on, as he raced to 66 at more than a run a ball. With Mark Cosgrove looking scratchy at the other end, yet fighting gallantly the Bushrangers found the game slipping in the first session.
It would be fair to say that the Bushrangers wasted the new ball, but managed to recover with Jon Holland bowling 29 overs, almost consecutive throughout the day and putting the breaks on the Redbacks. He would end up with three wickets, but also created them at the other end.
Certainly there appeared to be no demons in the pitch, for the first 80 overs. Holland struggled to get the ball to turn despite how well he bowled, and the pace bowlers were getting very little. The Bushrangers appeared to use the second new ball much better though, getting it to move, particularly Scott Boland.
The Redbacks will be disappointed with their efforts during Day 1, despite ending up with 325 runs as wickets fell in bunches. After the first wicket fell, they lost three very quickly before Alex Ross and Alex Carey joined at the crease combining for a large partnership.
When the next wicket fell down the order though, there was another run on as the day’s play drew to a close.
Chris Tremain also went off with an injury for the Bushrangers, and that may hamper their second innings bowling effort.
From here, it is important for the Redbacks to last as long as possible. 350 is a target they should certainly be aiming at although the Bushrangers having to bat last on this pitch – which seems a little low and slow – will be dangerous.
The first hour of play today is going to tell us a lot, and the pressure will be on both sides. Whichever side wins the first hour, could well go on to win the match.
Be sure to join The Roar for live scores of this match from 11am (AEDT) and don’t forget to add your own comments in the section below as the action unfolds in Glenelg.
Follow Scott on Twitter @sk_pryde
Scott Pryde
Expert
STUMPS DAY 2 Victoria have ended the day losing a few wickets, but well on top of the game. Coverage will be on a much-improved level tomorrow. Apologies about the scarcity of updates today. Victoria 2/269 (84) Rob Quiney – Caught Raphael, Bowled Worrall 23 (30) Travis Dean - Caught Carie, Bowled Opie 111 (201) Marcus Stoinis – Caught Carey, Bowled Worrall 35 (87) Peter Handscomb 79 Matthew Wade - Bowled Worrall 14 (24) Scott Boland - 5 Chadd Sayers 0/61 (20) Daniel Worrall 3/51 (20) Joe Mennie 0/51 (20) Elliot Oppie 1/58 (15) Travis Head 0/47 (9) South Australia 10/340 (93.3) Victoria trail by 71 runs.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Dean brings up his century with a six!
Scott Pryde
Expert
Just a quick update here - Handscomb and Dean pushing on brilliantly and the Victorians certainly have the upper hand right now. Victoria 2/203 (63) Rob Quiney – Caught Raphael, Bowled Worrall 23 (30) Travis Dean 91 Marcus Stoinis – Caught Carey, Bowled Worrall 35 (87) Peter Handscomb 52 Chadd Sayers 0/55 (15 Daniel Worrall 2/40 (15) Joe Mennie 0/42 (17) Elliot Oppie 0/28 (8) Travis Head 0/37 (8) South Australia 10/340 (93.3) Victoria trail by 202 runs.
Scott Pryde
Expert
TEA, DAY 2 Travis Dean and Peter Handscomb escape unscathed to Tea, but they are batting fantastically. The Redbacks bowlers really struggling out there at the moment - in saying that the Vics need to bat last on this wicket and need a first innings lead - the problem then for the Redbacks as it has been today is that they don't have a spinner. Victoria 2/161 (50) Rob Quiney – Caught Raphael, Bowled Worrall 23 (30) Travis Dean 72 Marcus Stoinis – Caught Carey, Bowled Worrall 35 (87) Peter Handscomb 29 Chadd Sayers 0/55 (15) Daniel Worrall 2/38 (14) Joe Mennie 0/28 (11) Elliot Oppie 0/28 (8) Travis Head 0/11 (2) South Australia 10/340 (93.3) Victoria trail by 202 runs.
Scott Pryde
Expert
The Redbacks have managed to pick up the wicket of Marcus Stoinis thanks to the bowling of Daniel Worrall who has been far and away the best of the bowlers. Stoinis never fully got into his innings, but since his wicket fell Travis Dean has gone on with the job going past a half century, and being joined by Peter Handscomb who is almost travelling along at a run a ball early in his innings. Victoria are really starting to eat into the deficit, but this is a huge partnership. Again, the lack of a spinner might be hurting South Australia Victoria 2/137 (43) Rob Quiney – Caught Raphael, Bowled Worrall 23 (30) Travis Dean 54 Marcus Stoinis - Caught Carey, Bowled Worrall 35 (87) Peter Handscomb 24 Chadd Sayers 0/50 (13) Daniel Worrall 2/38 (14) Joe Mennie 0/20 (8) Elliot Oppie 0/28 (8) South Australia 10/340 (93.3) Victoria trail by 202 runs.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Victoria have advanced through the second session a little more positively so far, not losing any wickets and starting to really adjust to the conditions. Travis Dean and Marcus Stoinis are looking a lot more comofrtable and starting to show it on the scoreboard, while it seems the lack of a front line spinner is really starting to hurt the Redbacks. Victoria 1/92 (33) Rob Quiney – Caught Raphael, Bowled Worrall 23 (30) Travis Dean 41 Marcus Stoinis 27 Chadd Sayers 0/37 (10) Daniel Worrall 1/26 (11) Joe Mennie 0/14 (7) Elliot Oppie 0/14 (5) South Australia 10/340 (93.3) Victoria trail by 248 runs.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Apologies for the delay in this update Roarers, LUNCH, DAY 2 It has been tough going this morning for the Victorians, but they have arrived at lunch still having nine wickets in hand and keeping the Southern Redbacks at bay. With the exception of Chadd Sayers opening spell of five overs, the Redbacks bowlers have been consistent, accurate and tight pinning the Victorian batsmen down. It was slow going early for all their batsmen as they tried to adjust and settle into the wicket and its conditions, but coming into lunch Travis Dean started to get going while Marcus Stoinis, wth a strike rate in the low 20's has been battling all the way, just trying to survive. Daniel Worrall has been the pick of the bowlers this morning, grabbing the wicket of Quiney but the pressure is on for the bowlers to pick up their game with only 280 runs to play with, and nine wickets still in hand. Victoria 1/60 (23) Rob Quiney – Caught Raphael, Bowled Worrall 23 (30) Travis Dean 27 Marcus Stoinis 9 Chadd Sayers 0/26 (5) Daniel Worrall 1/13 (7) Joe Mennie 0/14 (7) Elliot Oppie 0/6 (4) South Australia 10/340 (93.3) Victoria trail by 280 runs.
Scott Pryde
Expert
The Redbacks were dissmissed after adding just 15 runs, but none the less a very important 15 runs. Chadd Sayers would end up with 27 as Chris Tremain ended up returning to the action and picking up the wickets. In reply, Victoria have lost an early wicket with Rob Quiney departing for 23. He was looking quite solid but would end up falling to Daniel Worrall who has bowled fantastically. Chadd Sayers has struggled a fraction and has been taken out of the attack after 5 overs. Travis Dean has started strongly, with M arcus Stoinis not scoring from his first 15 balls and looking very scratchy. Victoria 1/33 (11) Rob Quiney - Caught Raphael, Bowled Worrall 23 (30) Travis Dean 10 Marcus Stoinis 0 Chadd Sayers 0/26 (5) Daniel Worrall 1/6 (5) Joe Mennie 0/1 (1) South Australia 10/340 (93.3) Victoria trail by 307 runs.
Scott Pryde
Expert
So South Australia will resume from 8/325 after 90 overs. Chadd Sayers and Daniel Worall will be at the crease - this first hour is going to tell us a lot. Regular updates to follow throughout the day.
Scott Pryde
Expert
If you have any comments, feel free to add them throughout the day. Ill do my best to answer all and any questions as well.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Hello, Good Morning and Welcome to The Roar's coverage of the Sheffield Shield Final. Day 2 will be getting under way in just under 10 minutes