Shield Games

Glenn Maxwell cutting during his 92

NSW v Victoria
Victoria are poised for outright victory coming into the last day of the clash with NSW in Sydney after an accomplished batting performance on the third day saw them add nearly 300 in 88 overs. It was a day made longer in order to make up for first day rain and for NSW it must have seemed even longer still. Chris Rogers notched his 50th first class hundred in what has become an weight of runs which is embarrassing for outgoing Chairman of Stuff Ups, Andrew Hilditch. Before Simon Katich had cause to complain, Rogers had done exactly what he was told and has been snubbed regardless whilst Hughes received perseverance, Watson was moved in the order and Katich dropped. Hmm.
It was David Hussey who set the tone of the batting with a bright 70 off just 98 and then Glenn Maxwell's near hundred which steered a wagging tail to add 163 for the last four wickets and bury NSW. At 2-51 by stumps and another extended day today, only Lillee and Marsh would back them.
Scoreboard

Liam Davis

SA v WA
Western Australia have set SA a second innings target of 353 to win their Shield game at the Adelaide Oval but then batting with a substantial first innings lead is always easier. The WA second innings was almost all contained in a 164 fourth wicket stand between Liam Davis and Adam Vogues after Peter George and Gary Putland had reduced them to 3-21. Putland ended with 8 wickets for the match. Davis is the early form batsman in Australian cricket with 331 runs at 83 from just two games and his batting partner Vogues is a close second with 297 at 99. The Redbacks have made a disastrous start, losing three wickets inside eleven overs before the close, including Harris and Ferguson. Meanwhile, Tom Cooper may have to go back to grade cricket after being run out first ball.
Scoreboard
Qld v Tasmania
The abject failure of Tasmania at the Gabba - routed before lunch on the 3rd day - was highlighted by the fact Qld needed less than 300 to beat them by an innings. Ryan Harris smashed the remaining Tasmanians, taking four of the last five and taking seven for the innings. His match haul of 9-83 is strong tonic for Michael Clarke in a battle with South Africa which requires fire to counter fire. South Africa's deep batting line up are a long way from the Tasmanians but you can't do more than your best, regardless of the opposition. Jason Krejza, another member of the forgotten spinners club, top scored with some effective hitting as Harris ran amok.