New South Wales (NSW) scored 238 and 134 for 4, leading Victoria by 190 runs. Sam Konstas contributed 17 runs before being dismissed by Scott Boland, who took 2-29. NSW’s successful innings included Matthew Gilkes (43*) and Josh Philippe (31). Victoria, resuming at 92 for 4, struggled against Jackson Bird’s bowling, who took 3-24, moving him closer to 400 Sheffield Shield wickets. The team was quickly reduced to 182 runs, with Hanno Jacobs also claiming 3 wickets. NSW now stands in a strong position as both teams vie for a crucial win for the Sheffield Shield final.
New South Wales scored 238 and 134 for 4 (Gilkes 43*, Phillipe 31, Boland 2-29) leading Victoria 182 (Bird 3-24, Jacobs 3-60) by 190 runs
Batting overall proved challenging, but NSW finished the day in a strong position with a 190-run lead and six wickets remaining as both teams aimed for a victory that is crucial for their chances of securing a spot in the Sheffield Shield final.
NSW’s head coach Greg Shipperd and batting coach Nick Larkin observed closely from the boundary throughout Konstas’ innings, which came to an end just prior to tea when he square drove a short ball from Boland to point.
Up until that point, Konstas had looked solid against some challenging new-ball bowling from Boland and Fergus O’Neill. It took him 13 deliveries to get off the mark, clearly indicating his intent to leave balls angled outside off, and he defended primarily with a straight bat, though Boland troubled him at times.
Konstas found the boundary for the first time in the 11th over, striking consecutive fours off Will Sutherland, and followed it with a well-placed shot over point against Boland. However, his attempt to repeat that shot led to his dismissal.
“I support entertaining and good batting, but that wasn’t the case on day one. It was exciting for just a few minutes,” commented Phil Jaques, the former NSW coach, during commentary. “Konstas displayed better application today; he was patient and allowed himself the chance to settle. It was a more competent innings, but unfortunately it yielded little in terms of runs.”
Nic Maddinson, who managed 20 runs from the second innings yesterday, was dismissed early by a spectacular delivery from O’Neill, while Kurtis Patterson fell lbw to Sutherland after a hard-fought 28.
When Sutherland was dismissed by Hanno Jacobs, Victoria remained over 100 runs behind, yet nightwatchman Perry, who survived a chance at cover off Gilkes, and No. 9 O’Neill managed to gather 34 runs in 16 overs before O’Neill was caught at long leg by Jacobs off a top edge, just before lunch.
NSW encountered frustration for nine overs as the last-wicket pairing held firm, with Boland contributing valuable runs before Perry was the last out, driving to mid-off after facing 122 balls for 29 runs.