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Sheffield Shield 2024-25 – Vic vs NSW – Konstas 43, Smith 0, NSW struggle despite Starc’s 6

New South Wales 136 & 185 for 6 (Philippe 70*, Konstas 43, Boland 2-41) lane Victoria 272 and 246 (Harper 72, Rogers 59, Starc 6-81) for 197 runs

Sam Konstas missed a chance to strengthen his Test debut and Steven Smith made a duck as Victoria closed out a win over New South Wales despite a superb six-wicket haul from Mitchell Starc.

Konstas made 43, after being given life on 23, and Smith was dismissed lbw without giving Scott Boland a shot as the Blues slumped to 185 for 6 chasing 383. An unbeaten half-century from Josh Philippe ensured the game would be done. reaching the fourth day, but the Blues needed 198 runs to win with just four wickets in hand.

Earlier, crucial half-centuries from Sam Harper and Tom Rogers helped Victoria set up the Blues’ fourth-innings chase against the superior bowling of Starc, who finished with 6 for 81 from 17.5 overs and looking in good shape before the fourth innings. Test series against India.

The Blues’ run got off to a horrendous start as they lost 4 of 35. Boland is back to his best form with the new ball. He had Nic Maddinson caught at slip in the no-ball before getting him out again with a legitimate delivery from the wicket that went in and out.

He then trapped Smith lbw with a delivery that bounced back painfully from long off. Smith raised his arms, not expecting such a movement. Umpire Sam Nogajski thought it hit the sticks. It was a brave decision but, despite Smith’s displeasure, replays suggested he was likely to hit the sticks.

Moises Henriques was trapped lbw by Fergus O’Neill before Ollie Davies fell to drive at Will Sutherland.

Konstas held firm in front of some excellent seam bowling. But he struggled to speak fluently even though he appeared to be sounding defensive. When he tried to expand, he almost came unstuck. On the 23rd, he drove strongly to the Boland delivery area which was not as crowded as it seemed. A thick edge flew to Peter Handscomb’s right at second slip, but he couldn’t get it back in full despite getting two hands on it.

The descent seemed to free Konstas. He started to accumulate, moving to 43 along with Philippe, who continued the form he showed in his unbeaten 45 in the first innings.

But after making solid yards against the rush, Konstas was tackled by Todd Murphy. He had tormented South Australia’s Ben Manenti with two centuries in the season opener, but this Test opener was a different challenge. Konstas hit him well off the back foot for four over the closing point and wanted to go back skipping early to the next delivery predicting it might be full. Murphy smartly passed him. Konstas was nowhere near a good length as he tried to clip it over long on and the top edge tipped towards the back of the net where Campbell Kellaway took a hard chance.

The Blues were 97 for 5 before Philippe and Sean Abbott anchored the innings. The two shared a 59-run stand before Abbott cut Sutherland to first slip.

Philippe reached his second half-century this season and looks to be in good touch heading into his Australia A appearance in a few weeks.

Earlier in the day, Harper and Rogers produced a superb 130-run partnership to put Victoria in a strong position before a late strike from O’Neill and Murphy pushed the game out of reach for the Blues. Harper made 72 and looked in complete control before plunging into a very good leg when a predictable plan was laid for him.

Rogers made 59, his first maiden century, and looked very confident before losing to Nathan Lyon. Australia’s No. 1 spinner 1 Test past the wicket to the left-hand batter at long-on to dry it up. He fell trying to work against the spin and was caught at short leg.

Starc and Abbott threatened to blow the tail but O’Neill and Murphy made 33 and 36 respectively with some passionate batting and some luck. Starc eventually made it to both ends with six wickets.


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