Cricket

Victoria's lower-order batters played a crucial role in securing a commanding 206-run first-innings lead over Western Australia in their Sheffield Shield encounter at the Junction Oval.After being dismissed for a paltry 167, WA initially kept Victoria in check, reducing them to 207 for 6. However, No. 9 Xavier Crone emerged as an unlikely hero, smashing an unbeaten 62 off just 65 deliveries, including three towering sixes. His innings propelled Victoria to a respectable 373.Fellow lower-order contributors Fergus O'Neill (44) and Sam Elliott (26) also played their part, forcing WA's bowlers to toil relentlessly in the scorching heat.WA's opening bowlers Joel Paris (3-44) and Cameron Gannon (3-59) along with spinner Corey Rocchiccioli (3-115) shared the wickets, accounting for all but one of WA's dismissals.In response, WA faced a challenging hour of batting before stumps, reaching 33 for 1. Sam Fanning and Jayden Goodwin remained unbeaten at the crease.Opener Cameron Bancroft, who has been struggling for form after dominating the Shield in recent seasons, continued his poor run. After being overlooked for a Test call-up for the first time since the 2019 Ashes, Bancroft fell to O'Neill for 11. In the first innings, he had managed only 12, also losing his wicket to O'Neill.Victoria's strong performance has put them in a prime position to become the first team to defeat WA in the Shield this season. WA, aiming for a fourth consecutive title, were undefeated after three matches before their trip to Melbourne.

Cameron Bancroft's struggles continued on the opening day of Western Australia's Sheffield Shield clash against Victoria, as the former Test opener was dismissed for just 12. Bancroft's dismissal was part of a tough day for WA's batters, who were bowled out for 167. Victoria, in response, reached 100 for 2 at stumps, with Marcus Harris unbeaten on 40.Bancroft's poor form this summer has been a major concern for the 30-year-old, who was the leading run-scorer in the Sheffield Shield over the past two summers. However, his form has deserted him at the worst possible time, with the Australian Test team set to tour Sri Lanka later this month.Todd Murphy, on the other hand, had a day to remember on his 24th birthday. The Victorian spinner took 4 for 37, including the wickets of Sam Fanning, Joel Paris, Cameron Gannon, and Brody Couch. Murphy's performance will put him in contention for a spot on the Sri Lanka tour, where he could provide support to Nathan Lyon.Victoria's other wicket-taker was Corey Rocchiccioli, who had Campbell Kellaway caught at cover for 26. Harris and Travis Dean (22) put on a 50-run partnership for the second wicket before Dean was dismissed by Rocchiccioli.At stumps, Victoria were well-placed to take control of the match. Harris looked in good touch, while Dean and Kellaway had also made solid contributions. WA, on the other hand, will need to bat much better in their second innings if they are to avoid defeat.

Cameron Bancroft's Test recall hopes suffered another setback as he failed for the fourth consecutive time in the Sheffield Shield season. However, Josh Inglis continued to impress, while Hilton Cartwright guided Western Australia to a six-wicket victory over Tasmania at the WACA.Chasing a modest target of 83 on the final day, Bancroft had a chance to boost his confidence after scoring just eight runs in his previous three innings. However, he struggled against the probing bowling of Riley Meredith and Kieran Elliott, miscuing a pull shot to fine leg for just two runs."He's pretty good to be honest...keeping things really simple," said WA captain Sam Whiteman of Bancroft. "I think it's a matter of time. Each fail...he's one closer to a big score. He's a pretty positive guy."WA's chase hit a snag as they slumped to 18 for 4, with Whiteman, Mitchell Marsh, and Aaron Hardie falling to Elliott. Inglis and Cartwright then steadied the ship with a quick half-century partnership, guiding WA to victory. Inglis finished unbeaten on 26 from 36 balls, while Cartwright remained not out on 39 from 50 balls.Cartwright's performance was particularly remarkable as he had to leave the ground at tea on day two when his wife went into labor. He returned on day three to resume his innings on 52 after the birth of his second child.Tasmania's innings ended quickly on day four, with Brody Couch claiming his fourth wicket of the innings to trap Meredith in front. Couch finished with match figures of 7 for 83, touching speeds of 143kph.

Cameron Green's injury has cast a shadow over Australia's preparations for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India. The all-rounder's absence could pave the way for Cameron Bancroft's Test recall, according to former skipper Mark Taylor.Green has been ruled out of the five-match series due to a stress fracture in his lower back. The 25-year-old has a history of back injuries, having suffered four stress fractures in the past. However, he had been clear of any issues since 2019.Green's absence will force Australia to reshuffle their batting order. Taylor believes that Steve Smith will move back to his preferred number four spot, leaving the opening position vacant."I'd love to see a right-handed opening batsman get the opportunity," Taylor said. "And to me at the moment ... I would have Bancroft penciled in alongside (Usman) Khawaja."Bancroft has been in impressive form in the Sheffield Shield, topping the run-scoring charts for the past two years. He has also served a nine-month ban for his role in the 2018 ball-tampering incident.Taylor also suggested that young opener Sam Konstas could be included in the Test squad. Konstas has scored back-to-back centuries against South Australia in the Sheffield Shield.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy series will begin on November 22 in Perth. Australia will be looking to retain the trophy after winning the previous edition in 2020-21.

Western Australia's hopes of extending their Sheffield Shield dominance were boosted by a resilient batting display on day three against Queensland. Despite losing Cameron Bancroft for a duck, Mitchell Marsh and Hilton Cartwright steadied the ship with an unbroken 59-run partnership.After gaining a 98-run lead, WA stumbled to 47 for 3 in their second innings. Bancroft's untimely dismissal raised concerns, as he had been touted as a potential Test recall. However, Marsh and Cartwright's partnership has put WA back on track.Marsh, batting at No. 4, played cautiously but occasionally unleashed his trademark power hitting. He finished the day on 40 not out, while Cartwright contributed 19. Their partnership has given WA a solid foundation to build on.Queensland had earlier fought back with the ball, taking three quick wickets. Michael Neser dismissed Bancroft for the second time in the match, while Jack Wildermuth and Tom Straker accounted for Jayden Goodwin and Sam Whiteman respectively.However, WA's bowlers responded with a strong performance in the second session. Cameron Gannon led the charge with a five-wicket haul, including the crucial dismissal of Jack Clayton for 85. Ben McDermott also fell for 68, sparking a collapse that saw Queensland lose six wickets for 66 runs.The match, which had appeared destined for a draw, has now been thrown open. The surface has flattened, but the second new ball has brought life back into the contest. WA will be looking to press their advantage on day four, while Queensland will need to find a way to break the Marsh-Cartwright partnership.

Cameron Bancroft's masterful century and a disciplined bowling performance propelled Gloucestershire to a convincing 37-run victory over Surrey in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup.Bancroft's 100 from 109 deliveries laid the foundation for Gloucestershire's imposing total of 301. Miles Hammond contributed a brisk 51, while skipper Jack Taylor's explosive 44, featuring five sixes, provided late impetus.Surrey's chase was anchored by Ryan Patel's defiant 87 and Josh Blake's 50, but they fell short of the target, mustering only 264. Conor McKerr impressed with List A best figures of 4-32, while Cameron Steel claimed 4-61.Gloucestershire's bowlers maintained consistent pressure throughout Surrey's innings. Matt Taylor's 4-44 and Ajeet Singh Dale's 2-49 proved crucial in restricting the hosts.Surrey's top order struggled against Taylor's new ball burst, with Dom Sibley and Ben Geddes dismissed cheaply. Patel and Ben Foakes rallied with an 89-run partnership, but Singh Dale and Taylor broke the stand.Blake and McKerr threatened with an 85-run seventh-wicket partnership, but Taylor's sharp lifter ended McKerr's resistance. Singh Dale then removed Foakes and Patel, leaving Surrey on the brink of defeat.Blake and McKerr's late resistance delayed Gloucestershire's victory, but Dom Goodman's dismissal of Blake sealed the deal.Bancroft's century anchored Gloucestershire's innings, while Hammond's half-century provided early momentum. Taylor's late cameo gave the visitors a significant boost.Surrey's bowlers, led by McKerr and Steel, kept Gloucestershire in check for much of the innings. However, Taylor's aggressive batting and Bancroft's steady accumulation proved too much for the hosts.

Cameron Bancroft's scintillating 87 propelled Gloucestershire to a crucial 10-run victory over Middlesex in the Vitality Blast, keeping their quarter-final hopes alive.Bancroft, the Australian opener, unleashed a barrage of 10 fours and three sixes in his 54-ball knock, forming a formidable opening partnership of 65 with Miles Hammond (30). Their aggressive approach laid the foundation for Gloucestershire's competitive total of 179 for eight at Chelmsford.Middlesex's chase got off to a promising start as Martin Andersson (49) and captain Leus du Plooy (73*) put on a record-breaking 102-run stand for the first wicket against Gloucestershire in T20 cricket. However, the visitors' bowling attack, led by Matt Taylor (2-17), struck back with a flurry of wickets.Du Plooy remained defiant, anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 73 from 52 deliveries. But the loss of six wickets for 39 runs proved costly, as Middlesex fell short on 169 for seven.Gloucestershire's victory lifted them to joint fourth in the South Group table, but their qualification for the quarter-finals hinges on Essex's result against Hampshire on Friday.

Gloucestershire's Jack Taylor led his team to a resounding 121-run victory over Glamorgan in a Vitality Blast encounter at Cheltenham. Taylor's blistering unbeaten 80 from 35 balls, featuring seven sixes and four fours, propelled Gloucestershire to a formidable 206 for 6.Cameron Bancroft (44) and James Bracey (31) provided a solid foundation with a 64-run partnership for the second wicket. Beau Webster's 33 in a rapid 63-run stand with Taylor further boosted the home side's total.Glamorgan's chase faltered from the outset, as they were bowled out for a mere 85 in 15.5 overs. David Payne's exceptional bowling figures of 3 for 7 from three overs set the tone, while Tom Smith and Josh Shaw contributed with 3 for 33 and 2 for 7 respectively.Taylor's innings was a masterclass in power-hitting, as he smashed the Glamorgan bowlers to all parts of the ground. His 24-ball 50 and 19 runs off the final over ensured Gloucestershire's dominance.Glamorgan's top order crumbled under the pressure, with only Colin Ingram (20) offering any resistance. The visitors' powerplay yielded a meager two boundaries, and they never recovered from the early setbacks.Gloucestershire's victory keeps their quarter-final hopes alive, as they remain in fifth place in the South Group. They must now defeat Middlesex in their final game and hope Essex loses to Hampshire to qualify for the knockout stages.

Gloucestershire's Miles Hammond unleashed a blistering 80-run knock, propelling his team to a dominant nine-wicket victory over Kent Spitfires in the Vitality Blast at Canterbury.Hammond's explosive innings, featuring five towering sixes and eight boundaries, came off just 41 deliveries. His opening partner, Cameron Bancroft, remained unbeaten on 39 as Gloucestershire chased down Kent's paltry total of 125 with 8.2 overs to spare.Kent's batting woes began early as Gloucestershire's bowlers stifled their opponents. Matt Taylor's impressive 3-30 led the charge, while wicketkeeper James Bracey's three run-outs further crippled Kent's innings. Sam Billings top-scored with 36, but no other batter managed to cross the 20-run mark.Gloucestershire's decision to bowl first proved inspired as they ripped through Kent's top order. Zak Crawley's poor form continued, falling for just 7, while Joe Denly and Marcus O'Riordan also departed cheaply.A partial recovery by Billings and Tawanda Muyeye was short-lived as Bracey's sharp run-out of Muyeye triggered a collapse. Taylor's double-strike in the 15th over, removing Billings and Grant Stewart, further dented Kent's hopes.Joey Evison's dismissal, caught at deep midwicket, and two comical run-outs in the final over sealed Kent's fate. Nathan Gilchrist and Xavier Bartlett's mix-up, followed by Matt Parkinson's failed attempt at a single, left Kent all out for a meager 125.Gloucestershire's chase was a formality, with Hammond and Bancroft putting on an opening stand of 127. Hammond's six over cow corner off Xavier Bartlett brought up his half-century, and he eventually fell for 80 when Gilchrist caught him on the boundary.Bancroft completed the victory in style, smashing O'Riordan for a six to seal Gloucestershire's emphatic nine-wicket triumph.