Cricket

Victoria's dominance in the Sheffield Shield continued as they crushed Western Australia by eight wickets at Junction Oval. Despite a rare hat-trick from WA spinner Corey Rocchiccioli, Victoria chased down the modest target of 120 with ease.Marcus Harris and Peter Handscomb led the charge for Victoria, putting on an unbroken 103-run partnership for the third wicket. Rocchiccioli's hat-trick had given WA a glimmer of hope, but Handscomb's aggressive approach and Harris's steady support ensured a comfortable victory.Earlier, WA had been dismissed for 325 before lunch. Joel Curtis's unbeaten 119 was the highlight of their innings, while Sam Elliott claimed four wickets for Victoria.In the first innings, Victoria had posted a formidable 373, with Will Rogers, Matt Crone, and Handscomb all contributing half-centuries. WA's bowlers struggled to contain Victoria's batting lineup, with Fergus O'Neill and Todd Murphy taking six and four wickets respectively.Rocchiccioli's hat-trick was a rare moment of brilliance for WA. He became the first WA bowler to achieve the feat in Shield cricket and only the second in the competition's history. However, it was not enough to prevent Victoria from securing a convincing victory.Victoria's win extends their unbeaten streak in the Shield to four matches. They now sit atop the standings with 22 points, while WA remains in fifth place with 10 points.

Ashton Agar's One-Handed Heroics Fall Short as Victoria Triumphs in Sheffield ShieldIn a remarkable display of courage and determination, Western Australia's Ashton Agar defied a painful shoulder injury to bat one-handed against Victoria in the Sheffield Shield on Monday.Despite the discomfort, Agar bravely took his place at the crease as the No. 11 batsman. Facing a formidable seam and spin attack, he showcased incredible resilience and added a crucial 15 runs for the final wicket with centurion Joel Curtis.Agar's valiant effort, though, was not enough to prevent Victoria from chasing down the 120-run target with ease. Marcus Harris and Peter Handscomb struck unbeaten half-centuries to guide their side to victory inside 24 overs.Agar's injury occurred during Western Australia's first innings when he attempted to field a ball at short leg. Despite the pain, he returned to the field and bowled 10 overs, taking two wickets.His determination to contribute to his team's cause was evident throughout the match. Batting one-handed, Agar displayed impeccable technique and timing, hitting a boundary off Victoria's spinner Jon Holland.While Agar's heroics ultimately proved futile, his performance serves as a testament to his unwavering spirit and love for the game. His courage and resilience have inspired his teammates and cricket fans alike.

Western Australia's hopes of salvaging a draw against Victoria in the Sheffield Shield clash at Junction Oval dwindled on Sunday as the hosts chipped away at their batting lineup. Resuming on 34 for 1, the visitors battled through a rain-interrupted day to reach 278 for 7 at stumps, still trailing by 72 runs with a day to play.Hilton Cartwright, who has been in impressive form this season, anchored the Western Australian innings with a gritty 78 off 166 deliveries. He received support from skipper Ashton Turner and wicketkeeper Joel Curtis, who played a defiant knock to keep his side's faint hopes alive.However, Victoria's seam attack, led by Fergus O'Neill and Sam Elliott, proved too potent. O'Neill, who also claimed three wickets in the first innings, ended Cartwright's vigil with a perfect cutter that tickled the outside edge. Elliott, meanwhile, snared Sam Fanning and Jayden Goodwin in the morning session, both edging into the bucket hands of first slip Peter Handscomb.The visitors' cause was further hampered by an injury to spinner Ashton Agar, who is now a doubt to bat. With a day to play, Victoria, who have already secured vital bonus points from the match, will be confident of securing victory and moving to the top of the Sheffield Shield ladder.Cartwright's defiance, which has seen him score 420 runs at an average of 70 in four Shield matches this year, may not be enough to salvage anything for Western Australia. However, along with Curtis, he has made the Victorians fight hard for their victory.

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.

Victoria's hopes of securing a fourth consecutive one-day cup title were dashed after a rain-affected 15-run defeat to Victoria under the DLS method.The match at the MCG on Wednesday was reduced to 46 overs per side due to rain, with Victoria winning the toss and electing to bat. However, the hosts found themselves in early trouble, losing two wickets for 16 runs in the first 4.5 overs.Jhye Richardson and Lance Morris struck early for Western Australia, dismissing Marcus Harris and Will Pucovski cheaply. But Sam Harper steadied the ship for Victoria, anchoring their innings with an unbeaten 59 from 54 balls. Harper hit five fours and three sixes, providing the impetus for Victoria's total of 132 for 6 from their reduced allocation of 23 overs.In reply, Western Australia never got going with the bat. Captain Ashton Turner made 24 from 24 balls before he was caught behind off Todd Murphy, but no other WA batter went past 20. Cameron Bancroft continued his poor run of form, dismissed for 4 from 17 balls.Murphy and Fergus O'Neill were the stars with the ball for Victoria, bowling out WA for 108. Murphy finished with figures of 4-27, while O'Neill took 3-12.The win gives Victoria a 3-2 record, putting them in contention for a spot in the final, while WA (1-4) are out of contention. WA have won five of the past seven one-day cup titles and six of the past 10, including the last three in succession.

South Australia's dominance over Victoria continued in the One-Day Cup, with a resounding nine-wicket victory at Karen Rolton Oval. The triumph marked a remarkable week for the Redbacks, who had earlier secured their first Sheffield Shield win over the Vics in nine years.Mackenzie Harvey and Daniel Drew were the architects of South Australia's success, scoring magnificent centuries to chase down Victoria's total of 286 for 7. Harvey, the nephew of former Australian all-rounder Ian Harvey, struck an unbeaten 134 off 110 balls, his maiden One-Day Cup century. The stylish left-hander showcased his class, accelerating after a cautious start to dominate his former team.Drew, 28, was equally impressive, contributing an unbeaten 108 off 86 deliveries. The duo's partnership of 186 ensured South Australia reached their target in just 38 overs, securing a vital bonus point.Victoria skipper Peter Handscomb had earlier rescued his side from a precarious position with a superb 104 from 121 deliveries. After Johnson and Brendan Doggett tore through the top order, Handscomb steadied the ship, combining aggression and patience to accumulate a valuable century.However, Johnson's fiery spell of 4 for 46 proved decisive for South Australia. The left-armer removed Josh Brown and Campbell Kellaway in quick succession, setting the tone for the Redbacks' victory.South Australia's triumph was a testament to their all-round strength. Harvey and Drew's batting brilliance was complemented by Johnson's incisive bowling, while Carey's leadership and the team's fielding were also impressive.The win consolidates South Australia's position in the One-Day Cup standings and gives them a crucial boost in their quest for a finals berth. Victoria, on the other hand, will need to regroup and find a way to turn their fortunes around.

Victoria's hopes of securing a victory against South Australia in the Sheffield Shield match in Adelaide hang in the balance after a dominant performance from Ben Manenti. The offspinning allrounder played a pivotal role with both bat and ball, leaving South Australia in a commanding position heading into the final day.Victoria's openers managed to survive six overs unscathed, but they still require a daunting 337 runs to secure victory. South Australia's declaration late in the day set Victoria a challenging target of 346, thanks in large part to Manenti's aggressive batting.Manenti's unbeaten 62 off 71 balls, which included three towering sixes, was the highlight of South Australia's second innings. He came to the crease with his team in trouble at 176 for 6, but his top-scoring performance helped them post a competitive total.Earlier in the day, Manenti had also impressed with the ball, claiming career-best figures of 5 for 73. He picked up four top-order wickets, including the crucial dismissal of Victoria's wicketkeeper Sam Harper, who had revived their innings on day two.Victoria resumed day three on 195 for 7, but Harry Conway's dismissal of Harper proved to be a turning point. Harper had reached 89 before being trapped lbw, ending his hopes of a century. Manenti then wrapped up the innings by bowling Doug Warren, leaving Victoria with a 75-run deficit.South Australia's second innings got off to a shaky start when Henry Hunt was caught behind without scoring. However, Jake Lehmann made amends for his first-innings duck with a well-compiled 60. Alex Carey, who has been in impressive form this season, also contributed with a valuable innings.Veteran paceman Peter Siddle was the most successful bowler for Victoria, claiming 4 for 63 for the second time in the match. Rookie spinner Warren also impressed with 3 for 74.With Victoria needing a significant number of runs to win and South Australia's bowlers in good form, the match is poised for an exciting conclusion on the final day.

Former Test paceman Peter Siddle, at the age of 39, continues to defy the odds, playing a pivotal role in Victoria's strong position on day one of their Sheffield Shield match against South Australia.Despite a weakened Victoria side due to Australia A commitments, Siddle's experience and skill proved invaluable. He struck twice in an over to remove Daniel Drew and Jake Lehmann, and later returned to clean bowl Liam Scott, ending the day with impressive figures of 3-44 from 18 overs.South Australia, batting first at the Adelaide Oval, struggled to find fluency, reaching a scoring rate of two runs an over only in the final moments of the morning session. Conor McInerney was the first wicket to fall, dismissed by Victoria captain Will Sutherland.Henry Hunt and Liam Scott both scored half-centuries, but it was Siddle's interventions that kept Victoria in control. He removed Hunt, edging to first slip off Doug Warren's first ball, and caught Alex Carey on the boundary off Mitch Perry's bowling.Carey's dismissal for 44 left South Australia at 159 for 5, but Scott played a crucial innings to revive the home side, assisted by Ben Manenti and debutant Henry Thornton.Victoria's young bowling line-up, featuring Cam McClure, Mitch Perry, and Doug Warren, complemented Siddle's experience. Despite an early gift of five penalty runs, South Australia ended the day on 286 for 9, with Siddle's performance highlighting that age is no barrier to excellence.