Sheffield Shield 202425 Match Report for the 22nd Contest between

Sheffield Shield 2024/25: Match Report for the 22nd Contest between NSW and VIC, February 18-21, 2025

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New South Wales (NSW) scored 238 and 134 for 4, leading Victoria by 190 runs in the Sheffield Shield as the match progressed at the SCG. Notable performances included Matthew Gilkes (43*) and Josh Philippe (31), while Scott Boland took 2 for 29. Victoria struggled, posting 182 despite Jackson Bird’s 3 for 24 and Hanno Jacobs’ 3 for 60. Sam Konstas managed 17 runs before being dismissed by Boland. The match remains competitive, crucial for both teams’ chances at reaching the final, with NSW in a strong position with six wickets in hand.

New South Wales has scored 238 and 134 for 4 (Gilkes 43*, Phillipe 31, Boland 2-29) leading Victoria at 182 (Bird 3-24, Jacobs 3-60) by 190 runs

On the second day at the SCG, Sam Konstas set aside scoops, ramps, and sweeps, but could only manage 17 runs before being dismissed by Scott Boland for the second time in this match.

The batting conditions were challenging, yet NSW concluded the day in a strong position with a 190-run lead and six wickets remaining as both teams aimed for a crucial victory in their pursuit of a spot in the Sheffield Shield final.

Greg Shipperd, the head coach of NSW, along with batting coach Nick Larkin, observed closely from the boundary throughout Konstas’ innings, which concluded just before tea after he square drove a short ball from Boland to point.

Up to that point, Konstas had batted solidly against some tough new-ball bowling from Boland and Fergus O’Neill. He took until his 13th delivery to score, demonstrating a clear strategy to let balls outside off go, primarily defending with a straight bat despite Boland causing him some trouble.

It wasn’t until the 11th over that he managed to find the boundary, hitting consecutive fours off Will Sutherland before cutting another ball just over point against Boland. An attempted repeat of that shot ultimately led to his dismissal.

“I appreciate entertainment and solid batting, but day one wasn’t displaying good batting. It was entertaining for a brief period,” remarked former NSW coach Phil Jaques during commentary. “Today, Konstas applied himself better. He showed great patience and allowed himself the opportunity to settle in. It was an improved innings, but unfortunately, it didn’t result in much.”

Nic Maddinson, who scored 20 during the second innings yesterday, fell early to a superb delivery from O’Neill, while Kurtis Patterson was trapped lbw by Sutherland after putting in considerable effort for 28 runs.

Matthew Gilkes and Josh Philippe, the latter suffering a nasty hit to the helmet, contributed 55 runs to shift the momentum in NSW’s favor until Philippe was dismissed by Boland late in the day. Just before his dismissal, an unusual incident occurred when it seemed umpire Simon Lightbody was about to give Philippe lbw to Mitch Perry but paused midway, leaving the Victorian team baffled.
Victoria resumed play at 92 for 4 but quickly found themselves in dire straits as Jackson Bird had Marcus Harris caught at point off the second ball, followed by trapping Sam Harper lbw, all within the opening over. Bird’s wickets left him with 399 in the Sheffield Shield, just one shy of becoming the fifth bowler to take 400.

When Sutherland was dismissed by Hanno Jacobs, Victoria was still over 100 runs behind. However, nightwatchman Perry, who received a reprieve at cover from Gilkes, along with No. 9 O’Neill, scraped together 34 runs in 16 overs until O’Neill was caught at long leg by Jacobs off a top-edge on what turned out to be the final ball before lunch.

NSW faced frustration for nine overs from the last-wicket partnership, with Boland contributing valuable runs until Perry was the last to be dismissed, driving a ball to mid-off after facing 122 deliveries for 29 runs.

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