Sheffield Shield 2024-25 – Vic vs NSW – Konstas, Harris and Smith miss out as O’Neill and Starc shine

Victoria 272 & 90 for 4 (Rogers 26*, Harper 29*, Starc 3-20) lead New South Wales 136 (Philippe 45, O’Neill 4-29, Sutherland 3-24) for 226 runs

As Australia’s two selectors, coach Andrew McDonald and Tony Dodemaide, watched from the stands, Konstas and Harris failed to make their case and Smith also lost by 3 balls for 29 balls as O’Neill, who is in the team – Australia A, with four wickets. in a skilful display of seam bowling in friendly conditions. Starc then tore through Victoria’s top order during the day with a blistering spell that claimed three wickets, including Harris caught in the second over of the match.

It came on a day when openers across the country were struggling with Matt Renshaw (2) and Cameron Bancroft (8) also falling short.

Boland then lobbed one back from length to beat Konstas below the knee and Nogajski adjudged him lbw. Replays suggested that he might have been doing too much to hit the leg stump.

O’Neill had little luck finding Smith, who was tickled when he glanced down the leg side of Sam Harper. But it was a reward for outstanding control as Smith conceded just three runs from 29 deliveries.

Nic Maddinson had earlier hit a single trying to bowl Sutherland hard on the back foot before O’Neill found an outside edge off Moises Henriques to leave NSW reeling at 28 for 4.

But Davies was caught by a short ball from Sutherland and went outside to hook at deep square for 37. Sean Abbott fell in exactly the same way two overs later to leave the Blues 83 for 6. Philippe tried to shepherd the tail with an unbeaten 45. and got a contribution of 17 from Nathan Lyon but O’Neill and Todd Murphy cleaned up the last four to dismiss NSW for 136 and give the home side a vital lead of 136 runs.

Starc ensured that Victoria did not lose that advantage easily with some sparkling fast bowling. Backing up after an excellent performance on day one he tore through Victoria’s top order. The second ball of the innings was a brutal off-cutter that bounced off Ash Chandrasinghe and skimmed his elbow back onto the stumps. In the third over he bowled Campbell Kellaway lbw with a full and fast delivery to the left.

Peter Handscomb fell to Jackson Bird at second slip before Starc again claimed Harris in his fifth over. Just like in the first innings, a quick delivery on the hip caused Harris to look out of control, drop the glove over the thigh pad and bounce back for Philippe to bag a full right glove.

It left Harris with 26 and 16 points in the game and Victoria struggling to 32 for 4. But Harper and Tom Rogers settled late on to help the home side extend their lead beyond 200.