Sheffield Shield 2024/25, SOA vs VIC 9th Match Report, November 01 – 04, 2024

South Australia 286 for 9 (Hunt 62, Scott 53, Siddle 3-44) vs. Victoria

Wickets fell at regular intervals in the second and third sessions as South Australia ended the day on 286 for 9 after the first use of the Adelaide Oval batting strip by visiting captain Will Sutherland.

Siddle struck twice in the over to dismiss Daniel Drew and Jake Lehmann for his second duck in as many matches.

The indefatigable Siddle returned in the night to bowl Scott and sent the home side batting last for 53, and finished the day with 3 for 44 in 18 overs.

Siddle, man of the match with 5 for 49 against a strong New South Wales last weekend, is back in the Shield side among a host of absentees from Victoria.

Bowlers Scott Boland, Todd Murphy and Fergus O’Neill, as well as opener Marcus Harris, all missed the third round match due to Australia A commitments.

Siddle, a veteran of 67 Tests, complemented a young Victoria Bowling line-up that included the returning Cam McClure, Mitch Perry and spinner Doug Warren, who replaced Murphy.

The day got off to a strange start with the fifth ball of the match eluding wicketkeeper Sam Harper and hitting a five-penalty helmet.

Despite the early gift, South Australia couldn’t score smoothly and reached the score of two runs an over in the final moments of the morning session to be 62 for one at lunch.

Conor McInerney was the only batsman to hit the ground running, off Sutherland’s delivery, before Siddle doubled his tally shortly after.

Hunt made a cautious 62 only to cut off Warren to slip first on the first ball of the left-arm spinner’s spell.

Siddle was also at work in the field, catching the in-form Carey for a boundary off Perry’s swing.

Carey’s knock ended on 44 as a pull shot failed to clear the narrow Adelaide Oval margin leaving the home side on 159 for 5 overs.

Scott then played a crucial innings to revive South Australia, with the help of Ben Manenti and debutant Henry Thornton.