After a BBL-induced hiatus the Sheffield Shield resumed last week. With T20 World Cups and Under 19 championships, the premier red-ball domestic competition in the world slipped under the radar.
I have tracked each contest on Cirinfo and tried to see who might challenge for the upcoming vacancies in the Test team.
QLD def VIC by 36 runs
Key takeaways-
-MCG pitch still below standard as 17 wickets fell on day 1.
–Peter Handscomb (67, 34) and 90not out in the preceding one-dayer against QLD remains one of the best players in the country.
–Campbell Kellaway (1,2) didn’t progress in the pecking order, albeit he copped a woeful caught behind decision in the first innings. Alas no DRS at domestic level.
– Todd Murphy (0/17, 1/48) was tidy but not overly penetrating on a wicket that favoured the seamers
– One name we may hear more of is Sam Elliott (4/34,23, 3/37, 2), son of Matthew. Like his father, who played 21 Tests, he can bat a bit (First class average 25) but is primarily a fine fast bowler with a pair of “five-fas” already this season. Coming on first change he out-bowled the more fancied O’Neill and Perry and has some raw potential. Also, he engaged in some spirited “banter” with serial pest Marnus Labuschagne who he trapped LBW in the first innings. There’s more than a bit of Ben Stokes about the solidly-built 25-year- old!
– Marnus Labuschagne (10,41) played despite having a badly injured hand. I doubt it will affect his Test place either way.
– Michael Neser (3/15,7, 1/51,24) another solid performance by the QLD workhorse.
Check out the full scorecard HERE
NSW v SA Match drawn
Key takeaways-
-Big guns missing: Smith, Head, Starc, Lyon.
– Sydney’s weather interrupted the final day and the game was abandoned with SA reaching 2/118 in pursuit of an impossible target of 446.
–Sam Konstas Mark 11- laboured for 44 runs off 110 balls in the first innings, then composed a more fluent 28 in the second. Not enough to justify a recall but he is building a platform after a disastrous start to the season.
– Kurtis Patterson (6, 173not out) now has the distinction of scoring a ton in his first and now his hundredth first class games. In the future when we routinely debate who should have played more Test Cricket his name is sure to feature in discussions. His two Tests produced scores of 114no and 30 resulting in a Bradmanesque average of 144. He is now 32 years old and, like Handscomb, is unlikely to occupy selectors thoughts.
– Brendan Doggett– (3/70, 3/79) along with Nathan McAndrew (4/23, 3/68) was the best of the South Australian bowlers. Doggett, unfortunately, suffered a season-ending hamstring injury.
– Jack Edwards (22,3/48,61, 1/11) Another solid performance by the NSW captain. Unlikely to gain Test selection with Cameron Green and Beau Webster currently the preferred all-rounders in the Test squad.
– Nathan McSweeney– (3,16) Did not add to his overnight score on the final day. So, an underwhelming performance by the top-order batsman. His massive 226 in December was against the “might” of England Lions in a score of 8/588d. Failed again one day fixture today.
-Sheffield Shield player of the year, Jake Lehmann, curiously crowned with half the season to go, contributed 31 in the first innings. He batted at number 7 behind Alex Carey and night-watchman, Doggett.
Check out the full scorecard HERE
TAS def WA by 22 runs
Key takeaways
-Battle of the cellar dwellers in the west
-Tasmania’s Jake Weatherald (44,2) did not make a score to help solidify his Test selection in the coming months. Cameron Bancroft (20, 74) was more prolific for WA and the old-fashioned opener did his slim chances of an emotional Test recall no harm.
– Jhye Richardson didn’t disappoint his supporters with ball or indeed the bat (1/29, 12, 4/54, 46). The more cricket he gets the better he will be.
– WA spinner, Corey Rocchioccioli (2/51,2/53 ) was impressive and a first innings score of 36 was important.
-Big Beau Webster rarely fails and this match underlined his class (24, 55, 1/16, 1/59 so far)
– Man of the Match, Jake Doran (33, 74, 4c, 4c) and Gabe Bell (3/51, 6/82) starred for Tasmania
-Missing for WA were Connolly, Inglis, Marsh on international duties.
Check out the full scorecard HERE.
It was an unusual round with some tight results as the bowlers tended to dominate. Kurtis Patterson was the only centurion.
So, Victoria still sits well clear at the top of the table with only three games to go. Realistically it looks like being a Victoria v Queensland Final hosted by the Vics.
I’m tipping the Vics who seem to have the luxury of “managing” players such as skipper Will Sutherland. Other players who are currently not available for selection for various reasons include-
Marcus Harris, Tom Rogers, Matt Short, Ollie Peake and Scott Boland.
Read more from Dan Hoban HERE.
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