Victoria reached 92 for 4, trailing New South Wales’ 238 by 146 runs. Nic Maddinson’s explosive start contributed to a volatile first innings, while Scott Boland’s impressive bowling helped NSW recover from initial setbacks, thanks in part to a crucial 102-run partnership between Josh Davies and Chris Green. Davies scored 89, playing aggressively yet sensibly, though NSW lost their last four wickets for just 12 runs. Victoria struggled early, falling to 25 for 3, with Marcus Harris remaining unbeaten at 33. The day’s highlights included bold batting choices, particularly by Sam Konstas, raising discussions on his approach.
Victoria 92 for 4 trail New South Wales 238 (Davies 89, Boland 4-56) by 146 runs
Nic Maddinson started with an aggressive 20 runs off Fergus O’Neill’s second over, resulting in a peculiar total of 30 for 1 after just 13 balls. In the early afternoon, Boland struck by taking two wickets in consecutive balls, raising concerns for NSW. Nevertheless, a solid partnership of 102 runs between Davies and Chris Green helped them to a seemingly competitive total of 238 on a pitch that was expected to become more challenging for batting.
However, the most talked-about moment of the day occurred within the first ten minutes. Konstas executed a reverse scoop for four from Boland and hit another boundary straight of mid-off. After witnessing Maddinson target the shorter boundary with back-to-back sixes, Konstas attempted to sweep Boland and was bowled out.
This sparked much discussion regarding Konstas’ batting style. While his bold approach against Jasprit Bumrah seemed tactically justified, this instance appeared reckless.
“I was aware that Maddo would go after Fergus O’Neill, as he’s adept at maintaining his length and dismissing batsmen,” Davies told ESPNcricinfo. “Maddo’s goal was to put pressure on him and disrupt his game a bit.
“That was Maddo’s strategy, and I’m uncertain about Sammy’s actions. I didn’t discuss his approach with him beforehand, but if he believes that’s the best strategy for scoring runs, I fully support him. He has previously demonstrated, both at Test and Shield levels, that he can accumulate large scores. I am still confident in him and hope a significant score emerges in the second innings.”
After Konstas’ exit, normalcy returned to the play, and at 70 for 1, NSW seemed well-placed. Nevertheless, Maddinson, who no longer found success against O’Neill after his initial barrage, was dismissed pulling to deep square leg, while an in-form Kurtis Patterson edged a hesitant shot off Boland just before lunch.
Upon resuming, Matthew Gilkes was lbw without offering a shot against O’Neill, leading to Boland’s impactful performance at the venue where he had taken 10 wickets in the previous match against India. Josh Philippe appeared displeased with being adjudged out caught down the leg side, but Will Sutherland’s edge to slip was unquestionable.
Davies, known for his aggressive batting, played positively and intelligently to stabilize the innings alongside the resilient Green. He hit 13 boundaries and adorned his innings with a six over fine leg, albeit with a bit of a top edge, reaching fifty off 62 balls.
He was granted a reprieve on 61 when Tom Rogers let a catch slip at first slip and was closing in on a century for the season before edging a drive off Sutherland as NSW succumbed to losing their last four wickets for a mere 12 runs.
Both Edwards and Jackson Bird made early breakthroughs with the new ball – Edwards delivering an impressive ball that clipped Campbell Kellaway’s off stump – and when Peter Handscomb fell to Hanno Jacobs, Victoria was in trouble at 25 for 3.
Dixon, who made his first-class debut in the previous round, counterattacked by scoring 16 runs off Jacobs’ fourth over, but he couldn’t manage to survive until stumps, leaving the pressure on Marcus Harris, who was unbeaten on 33.
Andrew McGlashan is a deputy editor at ESPNcricinfo