Sheffield Shield Round 9, Day 2: Stoinis Ignites Bushrangers
Victoria vs Tasmania
In just his 5th Sheffield Shield match, Marcus Stoinis has recorded his maiden First Class century – and it is a big one at that.
The Pink Ball and Day-Night conditions didn’t faze the Victorians in the slightest. Opener Rob Quiney got things off to a good start scoring 70. Stoinis and David Hussey then took over and proceeded to fly past Tasmania’s first innings score of 206. In his only 4 matches before this game, Stoinis averaged a paltry 17, with a highest score of only 36. The 24 year old shook off his poor start to post his first ton for Victoria. Hussey was dismissed shortly after this for 88. Stoinis powered on to remain unbeaten on an incredible 164 (off 253 balls) at stumps, with Handscomb in at the other end on 43. The Vics head into day 3 3/393, leading by 187.
South Australia vs New South Wales
The Blues are fighting hard for a first innings lead in Adelaide. The Redbacks’ tail did not wag early on day 2, they were all out for 288. Stephen O’Keefe grabbed the extra wicket he needed for his 5 fa and finished with 5/89 off 36.2. The wicket he claimed was that of Callum Ferguson, who fell a painful 3 runs short of a century. Josh Hazlewood also picked up 3 wickets.
Opener Ryan Carters got off to another good start, but found it hard to find a partner to stay with him early in the Blues’ innings. He had a 50 partnership with Kurtis Patterson before falling for 65 with the Blues 4/105. Skipper Peter Nevill then joined Patterson and played a typically defiant innings as the two provided the Blues with the partnership they desperately needed. They scored 122 together before Patterson was dismissed during a 3 over spell from part timer Tom Cooper. NSW still require 59 to take first innings points (5 wickets in hand), Nevill is 51* and will continue tomorrow with Trent Copeland.
Queensland vs Western Australia
WA’s decision to bowl first is being made to look worse and worse at the Gabba. Peter Forrest continued on and hit his 9th First Class ton. He got to 133, and with support from Hopes and Neser the Bulls reached 391 before being bowled out. WA quick Jason Behrendorff led the charge with the ball again, taking 5/105 off 27.
In reply, Western Australia have fallen apart. Not even Marcus North could save them (caught behind for 4). There was a brief resurgence from Voges and Turner, but then they both fell with the score on 80. 3 wickets each to Hopes and Neser put the Warriors at 7/149; and a long, long way behind, at stumps.
