Sam Konstas hit a career-best 173 to put New South Wales in charge against South Australia, Corey Wasley struck a maiden Sheffield Shield century for Western Australia, and Tom Straker put Queensland on the brink of victory on day three of the Shield round.
Konstas made 173 from 272 balls, with 18 fours, as New South Wales reached 410 in their second innings at Cricket Central in Sydney. South Australia, who made 325 in their first innings after New South Wales were bowled out for 204, closed on 50 for two, with Jake Weatherald 31 not out, needing 240 more runs to reach their target of 290. Konstas is now the leading run-scorer in the Shield this summer, with 426 runs at 85.20, and his scores this season read 71, 151 not out, 5, 2, 24 and 173. He rode his luck, caught at deep square leg off a Wes Agar no-ball when on 14 and dropped on 69 by Jason Sangha at first slip. Henry Thornton took 4 for 47, Noah McFadyen 3 for 71 and Ben Manenti 3 for 72, with Patterson (43), Hicks (34), Maddinson (31) and Shaw (48) all getting starts around him. Former Test captain Greg Chappell, watching on, said he always felt Konstas would bounce back “because he is a talented player”, with selectors set to name their squad for the first Test against New Zealand late next week.
At the MCG, Wasley announced himself with an unbeaten 179 from 337 balls, with 15 fours and a six, as Western Australia were dismissed for 424 late on day three. The 21-year-old left-hander came to the crease with his side in trouble at 3 for 84 in reply to Victoria’s 402 for five declared, built around Peter Handscomb’s unbeaten 169 and Blake Macdonald’s 116, and batted through to give the visitors a 22-run lead. Victoria were 0 for 7 at stumps, and the match looks destined for a draw.
At the Gabba, Queensland need just 19 runs to beat Tasmania after bowling the visitors out for 233 in their follow-on innings. Tom Straker was the star, taking 4 for 33 and removing Wyllie, Jewell, Webster and Doran as Tasmania slumped to 6 for 111. Nikhil Chaudhary (63) and Matt Kuhnemann (32) dug in for a 91-run seventh-wicket stand, but Queensland captain Marnus Labuschagne picked up his 100th first-class wicket by bowling No. 11 Jackson Bird, and the Tigers’ lead was only 18. Bad light prevented Queensland from starting the chase, with rain forecast for Saturday in Brisbane. Tasmania had followed on after being bowled out for 133 in reply to Queensland’s 348. The final day of all three matches is on Saturday, November 14.
Related:
- Konstas Presses Test Recall Case With Second Shield Ton as Labuschagne Stars With the Ball — https://t20star.com/konstas-presses-test-recall-case-with-second-shield-ton-as-labuschagne-stars-with-the-ball/
- Handscomb’s Unbeaten 169 Powers Victoria to 402 for 5 Declaration Against Western Australia — https://t20star.com/handscombs-unbeaten-169-powers-victoria-to-402-for-5-declaration-against-western-australia/
