Centuries to Jimmy Peirson and Jack Wildermuth have given Queensland a strengthening pulse as they aim to return to Adelaide for the Sheffield Shield final.
Looking shot at stumps on day two, Queensland have batted themselves back into the complicated equation that will decide who plays top side South Australia in the March 24-28 final.
By reaching 330 inside 100 overs in their first innings on Monday, Queensland picked up a vital batting bonus point against SA at Karen Rolton Oval.
“I’m glad we could dig in and get ourselves in a position where we could get what we needed out of that first innings, keep ourselves alive and hopefully get to a final,” Peirson said.
Assuming their match ends on Tuesday with a tame draw, Queensland will return to play SA in the final at the same venue – provided Victoria beat WA in Perth and Tasmania continue to dominate NSW in Hobart.
Queensland started the last round in second place, but SA’s imposing 7 (dec)-614 set the agenda and then the visitors crashed to 5-110 by the end of day two.
Peirson combined with Michael Neser, who also was vital with his 68, to stop the rot in Monday’s morning session and they put on 109 for the sixth wicket.
Then Wildermuth cut loose, belting 104 from only 90 balls, with 11 fours and three sixes, as he and Peirson racked up 151 in their seventh-wicket stand.
Most importantly, Peirson and Wildermuth took the score to 330 in the 94th over to secure the batting bonus point.
First Wildermuth and then Peirson were dismissed, their jobs done. Peirson played an outstanding knock, top-scoring with 128 in 281 balls with nine fours and a six.
Queensland were dismissed for 370 and predictably, SA batted again given a result is unlikely.
Nathan McAndrew, who ripped through Queensland’s top order, Henry Thornton and Lloyd Pope took three wickets apiece.
Neser was rested for the remainder of Monday’s play and Peirson confirmed that was with an eye to the final, as Queensland monitored scores from the WACA and Bellerive with growing confidence.
SA reached 2-66 at stumps in their second innings, with Jason Sangha (24) and Nathan McSweeney (eight) looking for pre-final batting practice on the last day.
In Hobart, Tasmania have set NSW an improbable target of 529 runs in the final innings with the Blues reaching 0-71 at stumps on day three.
Sam Konstas (34) and Blake Nikitaras (31) will resume on Tuesday in pursuit of the win after Tassie declared their second innings at 4-383 following 145 from Jake Weatherald and an unbeaten 100 from Caleb Jewell.
Meanwhile, Western Australia’s bid to leapfrog Queensland and NSW into the Sheffield Shield final has hit a brick wall named Campbell Kellaway.
The Victorian opener dominated day three of the last-round game at the WACA on Monday, top-scoring with 151no.
While the visitors learned early in the day they were effectively out of contention to play South Australia in the final, they are doing their best to frustrate WA’s bid.
Victoria had reached 8-335, an overall lead of 346, and Peter Siddle is yet to score.
Kellaway, 22, had faced 310 balls for his highest first-class score, with 17 fours and a six.
WHO WILL PLAY SOUTH AUSTRALIA IN THE SHEFFIELD SHIELD FINAL?
* Going into this week’s last round of games, SA held a commanding lead on the Shield ladder and were already confirmed to host the March 24-28 final at Adelaide’s Karen Rolton Oval
QUEENSLAND: Started the last round in second place, but only on points (second to fifth all had three wins). Looked nearly out of contention after day two against SA and then picked up a crucial batting bonus point on Monday. Will now make the final if they draw with SA, provided no win for WA or NSW.
NSW: Started the last round third, but at tea on day three at Bellerive trailed Tasmania by 454 runs and will need a final-day miracle to win and leapfrog Queensland into the final.
WA: In fourth place, but will snatch second from Queensland if they beat Victoria at the WACA and NSW are unable to beat Tasmania (assuming the SA-Queensland game is a draw).
VICTORIA: Second-last and were in the hunt to reach the final before Queensland’s batting bonus point on Monday. Given SA has no incentive to force a result against Queensland, Victoria are now essentially playing the role of spoilers for WA by trying to beat them or keep them to a draw
TASMANIA: The one team out of contention for the final going into the last round. Dominating their game against NSW
TABLE BEFORE THE LAST ROUND
(six points for a win, one point for a draw)
1. SA 51.76 points
2. Queensland 36.8
3. NSW 35.39
4. WA 34.43
5. Victoria 32.49
>Cricket News
%20(3).jpeg)
0 Comments