SHEFFIELD SHIELD, 2017-18
Sheffield Shield Wrap: Nielsen's debut ton lifts South Australia
Cricbuzz Staff •
Nielsen century bailed out South Australia after a top-order collapse. © Getty
A spectacular hundred from debutant Harry Nielsen and fifties from Jake Lehmann and Joe Mennie brightened things up for South Australia after they suffered a mini-collapse at the top. The hosts, after opting to bat, lost their top three batsmen for single-digit scores and the chances of revival looked bleak with Victoria's opening bowlers - Siddle and Tremain - mapping nagging lines and length with the new ball. Proceedings, however, took a one-eighty after Lehmann joined hands with skipper Tom Cooper, who counter-attacked his way to a quickfire 35 (which included 5 fours and a six) in his 58-run association with the former.
Post Cooper's departure, Lehmann found an able ally in the 22-year old Harry Nielsen who displayed appreciable tenacity and application to mark a memorable hundred in his maiden appearance for South Australia. He engineered a 143-run stand with Joe Mennie to set things back on track, ensuring his side ends the day on a pleasing note. Victoria's pacers shared all nine wickets that fell during the day with Tremain taking honors for the best bowler of the day (4 for 81 off his 23 overs)
Brief Scores: South Australia 357/9 (Harry Nielsen 105, Jake Lehmann 83; Chris Tremain 4-81, Scott Boland 3/71) vs Vicotria
The crucial match between the Bulls and Tigers is evenly poised after ball thoroughly dominated the bat on an exhilarating day one at the Gabba.
The Bulls suffered a spectacular collapse to post a middling 255 but the hosts fought back late to snare a couple of vital wickets. Tigers openers Beau Webster (18) and Alex Doolan (13) fell before the close as the visitors reached stumps at 60-2. Much responsibility on day two will rest on skipper George Bailey, who compiled a fluent unbeaten 19.
Despite the late fightback, the Bulls will be disappointed after dominating the opening session following captain Jimmy Peirson's decision to bat. Discarded Test opener Matthew Renshaw rediscovered his touch after a tough summer and shared in a 90-run opening wicket partnership with debutant Lachy Pfeffer (36).
Renshaw was dismissed for 56 on the final ball of the first session triggering an astounding collapse of 4 for 4 shortly after lunch. Languishing at 124-5, the Bulls seemed set to be rolled before rallying down the order.
An unlikely 72-run last wicket partnership between Mitchell Swepson (25 not out) and Luke Feldman (47 not out from 41 balls) powered the Bulls to a respectable total.
The winner of the match could leapfrog to the top of the table if NSW lose to WA.
Brief Scores: Tasmania 60-2 (George Bailey 19 not out; Luke Feldman 1-13) trail Queensland 255 (Matthew Renshaw 55; Gabe Bell 3-43) by 195 runs.
Mitchell Marsh, the WA captain, produced his best bowling performance of the summer but NSW fought back late to leave the clash at the WACA delicately poised.
Eerily similar to the Shield match at the Gabba, NSW made a subpar 204 after suffering a batting collapse before fighting back late on day one. WA limped to stumps at 17 for 2 after NSW quick Trent Copeland picked up the scalps of opener William Bosisto (0) and nightwatchman Matthew Kelly.
The late setbacks soured a strong bowling performance by WA. Marsh, the incumbent Test allrounder, had struggled with his bowling after major shoulder surgery last year but regained his groove to capture the first four NSW wickets. The ladder-leading Blues started strongly after winning the toss and were well positioned at 89 for 1 before Marsh menaced with the swinging Dukes ball.
In a spectacular spell, Marsh removed Daniel Hughes (49), Moises Henriques (5) and Kurtis Patterson (24) as the Blues spiralled to 105 for 4. Ahead of the looming Test tour of South Africa, Marsh's form with the ball is undoubtedly a tonic after his breakout Ashes series with the bat where he cemented the No. 6 position.
Veteran Ed Cowan (46) and captain Peter Nevill clawed NSW back into the contest with a gritty 52-run partnership but the hosts regained control with a slew of wickets after tea. Apart from Marsh's heroics, the Warriors had a balanced attack with six bowlers claiming wickets.
Brief Scores: WA 17-2 (Cameron Bancroft 7 not out; Trent Copeland 2-15) trail NSW 204 (Daniel Hughes 49; Mitchell Marsh 4-50) by 187 runs.
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