Cricket

Western Australia's hopes of securing a first-innings lead against Tasmania were boosted by a resilient batting performance on day two of their Sheffield Shield clash at the WACA.Despite a disappointing start that saw opener Cameron Bancroft depart cheaply for the third consecutive match, Josh Inglis and Cooper Connolly combined for an unbroken 119-run partnership to guide WA to 219 for 4 at stumps.Inglis, who struck a century in the season opener against Queensland, once again showcased his impressive form, reaching a half-century off just 57 balls. Connolly provided valuable support, helping WA recover from a precarious position.Earlier, Tasmania had posted a competitive 277 in their first innings, thanks to a late-order rally led by Mitch Owen (69) and Matt Kuhnemann. Corey Rocchiccioli was the standout bowler for WA, claiming 4 for 70.WA's chase got off to a shaky start when Bancroft fell for 8, followed by captain Sam Whiteman and Mitchell Marsh. However, Hilton Cartwright's aggressive half-century before tea provided a much-needed boost.Cartwright's departure after the interval due to the birth of his second child left WA in a spot of bother. However, Inglis and Connolly stepped up to the plate, turning the tide in WA's favor.With the match evenly poised heading into day three, WA will be aiming to build on their solid batting performance and establish a significant first-innings lead. Tasmania, on the other hand, will be looking to make early inroads and regain control of the contest.

South Australia's first-innings total of 314, anchored by Henry Hunt's 136, was met with a spirited response from Queensland on day two of their Sheffield Shield clash in Brisbane. Young quick Tom Whitney, who made history with a five-wicket haul on debut, played a crucial role in Queensland's fightback.Whitney's impressive performance continued on Monday as he claimed the wickets of Nathan McAndrew and Wes Agar, becoming only the 12th Queenslander to achieve a five-wicket haul on debut. Michael Neser also contributed with three wickets, including the key dismissal of Hunt.In reply, Queensland's batting lineup faced early setbacks. Test opener Usman Khawaja and Matt Renshaw were dismissed cheaply, while Marnus Labuschagne failed to make a significant impact. However, Ben McDermott's 52 and a 97-run partnership between Neser and Jimmy Peirson provided some resistance.Peirson, who hit 14 boundaries in his knock, looked set for a century before being run out by Jake Lehmann. Despite the setback, Queensland managed to reach 308 in their first innings, trailing South Australia by just six runs.Whitney's late cameo with the bat, an unbeaten 24 from 11 balls, helped Queensland close the gap. The 21-year-old's all-round performance has been a major boost for the Bulls, who will be looking to take the lead on day three.

Tasmania's batting lineup faced a stern test on the opening day of their Sheffield Shield clash against Western Australia at the WACA, as the hosts' frontline attack restricted them to 158 for 5.Allrounder Aaron Hardie, making his first Shield appearance of the season, impressed with a lively opening spell, while offspinner Corey Rocchiccioli claimed two crucial wickets before lunch.After winning the toss and electing to bowl, WA skipper Sam Whiteman's decision was vindicated as the quicks relished the green wicket. Rocchiccioli, who recently earned Australia A selection, showcased his sharp turn and bounce to dismiss Jake Weatherald and Jordan Silk.Brody Couch, who had a mixed debut against Queensland, was fiery and clocked speeds reaching 143kph. He rewarded for the breakthrough of Caleb Jewell, who edged a good length delivery to second slip.However, Tasmania's No.5 Jake Doran held firm, anchoring the innings with an attractive 59 not out. He combined in a half-century partnership with Charlie Wakim, who was eventually dismissed by Cameron Gannon.Allrounder Beau Webster, who is also in Test calculations to replace Cameron Green, made just 3 before nicking off to seamer Matt Kelly.Despite the rain interruption, WA's bowlers maintained a stranglehold on the game, with Mitchell Marsh yet to enter the attack.

Victoria's batting lineup faced a stern test on the opening day of their Sheffield Shield clash against New South Wales at the MCG, with Sean Abbott's exceptional bowling performance putting the Blues in a commanding position.Abbott, who is vying for a spot in Australia's Test squad, claimed four wickets for 50 runs, including a devastating spell after tea that yielded three wickets in 15 balls. His sustained fast bowling kept the Victorian batsmen on edge throughout the day.Peter Handscomb and Campbell Kellaway provided some resistance for Victoria, scoring half-centuries in challenging conditions. However, Mitchell Starc's impressive morning spell, which included a nasty blow to Marcus Harris's arm, set the tone for NSW's dominance.Harris, who batted the entire first session, was unable to capitalize on his start and was eventually dismissed by Starc for 26. The left-armer's extra pace and bounce proved too much for Harris, who was caught down the leg side.Kellaway and Handscomb shared a century stand, but their partnership was broken by Jackson Bird's off-cutter, which dismissed Kellaway for 55. Abbott then returned to wreak havoc, removing Handscomb, Sam Harper, and Will Sutherland in quick succession.Victoria's collapse continued as Nathan Lyon had Sam Elliott caught at short leg, leaving the home side reeling at 185 for 7. Tom Rogers and Fergus O'Neill mounted a brief rearguard, but O'Neill's dismissal late in the day left Victoria in a precarious position.Jack Nisbet picked up a second wicket when he had Todd Murphy caught behind, leaving Victoria on 259 for 9 at stumps. Abbott's outstanding performance has put NSW in a strong position heading into day two, while Victoria will need to find a way to rebuild their innings and avoid a heavy defeat.

Steven Smith and Mitchell Starc will make their long-awaited returns to the Sheffield Shield this weekend as New South Wales takes on Victoria at the MCG. The match, starting Sunday, will serve as a crucial preparation for the upcoming international summer.Smith, who has been sidelined with a concussion since the Ashes, will be eager to prove his fitness ahead of the Test series against India. The former Australian captain last played a Shield match in February 2021.Starc, on the other hand, has not featured in the Shield since the 2020-21 final. The left-arm quick will be looking to regain his rhythm and build up his workload before the ODI series against Pakistan.Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood will not play in the Shield match but are expected to feature in the One-Day Cup fixture against Victoria on October 25. Cummins is unlikely to play any red-ball cricket before the Test series against India, while Hazlewood's availability for the third round of Shield may be affected by the ODI series against Pakistan.Sean Abbott will also return for NSW after missing the opening round due to a minor injury. Nathan Lyon, who took eight wickets against South Australia, will again be a key figure for the Blues.Victoria is expected to include Scott Boland in their squad, setting up a fascinating contest with 19-year-old opener Sam Konstas. Konstas was called up to the Australia A squad earlier this week after scoring twin centuries against South Australia.Matthew Gilkes, Ryan Hadley, and Liam Hatcher have been dropped from the NSW squad that drew with South Australia in the opening round.

Mitchell Marsh, the versatile Australian all-rounder, is set to return to bowling in the upcoming Sheffield Shield round as he prepares to fill the void left by Cameron Green's absence during the India Test series.Green's season-ending stress fracture has heightened the significance of Marsh's fitness and bowling capabilities. Since suffering a hamstring injury during the IPL, Marsh has bowled only four overs, raising concerns about his ability to withstand the rigors of bowling.However, Marsh has expressed confidence in his physical condition and is gradually increasing his bowling workload. He will bowl for Western Australia against Tasmania in the Shield fixture starting on Sunday at the WACA."I won't bowl too much for WA, it's all part of the building process to get ready for that first Test," Marsh said. "It's been a slow build. I've been really well looked after by Cricket Australia, Ronnie [Australia coach Andrew McDonald] and Patty [Pat Cummins], with our planning and when I bowl."With Australia's frontline pace attack unchanged last summer and Tests played on bowler-friendly surfaces, Marsh was not heavily relied upon with the ball. However, the expectation is that the five-Test series against India will be more grueling, making Marsh's ability to provide support crucial.While some have suggested that Marsh could move to the top of the order as an opener, he has dismissed that notion, emphasizing his focus on contributing as an allrounder."I see the allrounder role as being really important, especially for when our bowlers need a bit of a break," Marsh said. "I think if you look back at the last few seasons, our allrounders have bowled maybe 10 to 13 overs a game, which is not really a lot.""But those 10 to 13 overs can be really important. So for me, it's about preparing to bowl as much as I can, as much as Patty needs me to."Marsh expressed his disappointment for Green, who is expected to be sidelined for six months."From all reports he's pretty good, initially there is always a shock. It all happened pretty quickly," he said. "Certainly with stress fractures they can be quite a gradual thing, but this one came pretty quickly.""Someone like Cam with his attitude towards the game, he loves it. The thought of missing that much cricket is probably a little daunting for him, but he's accepted it now and as an athlete you go through these things.""It's an opportunity for him to come back better and I have no doubt that he will."

Teenaged batting prodigy Sam Konstas has earned a coveted opportunity to showcase his talents on the international stage, as he has been named in the Australia A squad for the upcoming red-ball series against India A. This selection marks a significant milestone in Konstas' burgeoning career, as he aims to impress the national selectors and secure a Test debut.Konstas' inclusion in the 17-man squad is a testament to his exceptional performances in the opening round of the Sheffield Shield. The 19-year-old opener lit up the domestic circuit with twin centuries against South Australia, becoming the first teenager to achieve this feat since Ricky Ponting in 1993.With allrounder Cameron Green ruled out of the summer due to injury and Steven Smith likely to move back to his preferred position at No. 4, Konstas has emerged as a potential contender for the first Test against India in Perth. The squad also includes experienced Test players Marcus Harris and Cameron Bancroft, but Matt Renshaw has been omitted.Harris has started the season strongly with a century and a half-century, while Bancroft and Renshaw have struggled in recent matches. South Australia skipper Nathan McSweeney will captain Australia A, a role he has fulfilled on several previous occasions.Allrounder Beau Webster, the reigning Shield player of the season, is also in the mix for Test selection. Fringe Test quicks Scott Boland and Michael Neser have been selected, along with Victoria quick Fergus O'Neill. Offspinners Todd Murphy and Corey Rocchiccioli are also in the squad and will be vying for a spot on Australia's Test tour of Sri Lanka early next year.Cooper Connolly, who made his ODI debut in England, is the only player named in both the ODI and Australia A squads. Josh Philippe and Jimmy Peirson will serve as wicketkeepers.The first four-day game in Mackay ends on November 3, followed by the first ODI on November 4. The second four-day game at the MCG runs from November 7-10, with the second and third ODIs scheduled for November 8 and 10.Australia's national selector, George Bailey, expressed excitement about the squad, particularly given the impressive performances in the early stages of the Sheffield Shield season. He emphasized that the selection process aimed to identify players who could contribute to the upcoming Test summer and reward strong domestic form.

Test wicketkeeper Alex Carey has sent a resounding message to the Indian team ahead of their upcoming tour of Australia, delivering a magnificent century in South Australia's Sheffield Shield draw against New South Wales.Carey's second-innings knock of 111 from 158 deliveries was a crucial contribution, helping South Australia recover from a precarious position of 23 for 4. The innings marked his most successful start to a Sheffield Shield season since his Test debut in 2021.Carey's efforts came after he finished last summer with an unbeaten 98 against New Zealand, providing reassurance for an Australian side that will be without Cameron Green for at least part of the summer due to a back injury.On Friday, Carey steadied the ship after Test teammate Nathan Lyon sparked a collapse of 4 for 9 as the visitors chased 389 for victory. Lyon dismissed Travis Head, Nathan McAndrew, and Conor McInerney in quick succession, leaving South Australia in dire straits.Carey's arrival at the crease proved pivotal, as he forged a 182-run partnership with captain Nathan McSweeney, who also notched up a brilliant century. Carey's half-century came off a sweep shot past deep midwicket, guiding South Australia into triple figures.Just after lunch, Carey brought up his seventh first-class century with a single to deep cover. He was eventually dismissed for 111, caught at deep leg slip off Tanveer Sangha.Carey's ton was a fitting response to rival gloveman Josh Inglis, who had hit a century for Western Australia earlier this week. McSweeney continued to impress, facing 283 balls throughout the final day and putting South Australia in a strong position.Lyon's early heroics could not be repeated, as Moises Henriques handed the ball to Nic Maddinson late on, acknowledging that a result was unlikely.Carey's performance is a timely reminder of his quality and will be a boost for Australia as they prepare for the Indian tour. With Green's absence, Carey's experience and form will be invaluable to the team.

Victoria and Tasmania played out a tame draw on day four of their Sheffield Shield clash at the Junction Oval in Melbourne, with the lifeless pitch preventing any prospect of a result.Marcus Harris continued his impressive form with a second-innings 52, adding to his first-innings century. However, the lack of bounce and pace in the wicket made it impossible for Tasmania to take 10 wickets in the time remaining.Harris's innings was characterized by his trademark fluency, striking eight boundaries before nicking a full delivery from Kieran Elliott. Ash Chandrasinghe also impressed, scoring 44 before being bowled by Matt Kuhnemann.Victoria's second innings reached 120 for 2 off 52 overs, with Campbell Kellaway and Peter Handscomb remaining unbeaten. Tasmania had declared overnight with a 99-run lead, but the flat pitch made it clear that a result was unlikely.Despite the disappointing outcome, Harris was pleased with his performance. He revealed that he had spoken to Australia selector Tony Dodemaide about the possibility of playing for Australia A against India A in the upcoming weeks."He asked if I wanted to bat six and bowl seam up in the Test side," Harris joked. "He was just talking about the Aussie A stuff. I think that'll come out the next few days."Victoria coach Chris Rogers and Tasmania coach Jeff Vaughan expressed frustration at the lack of a result. They acknowledged the challenges of preparing a lively wicket early in the season, but Rogers admitted that the current surface was "not great for cricket."Vaughan echoed Rogers' sentiments, stating that it is "darn hard at this time of year to get high-quality result wickets."