Sheffield Shield Wrap Up

The first lot of matches are over in the Sheffield Shield where Western Australia has drawn with Queensland and South Australia has defeated Tasmania.

At the WACA, Western Australia went into the game full of confidence after after their tight victory over Queensland in the Ford Ranger Cup match.

Queensland won the toss and elected to field and although they kept the run rate down, they could not capitalize on the pressure as Western Australia finished the first day at 4/247. The highlight of the day was Marcus North who ended up making 107. He smashed 75 in the final session and was very well supported by Shaun Marsh who made 70 at number 3. WA ended up making 9/407 dec., with half centuries to night-watchman Steve Magoffin and all rounder David Bandy. The chief wicket taker for Queensland was youngster Scott Walter who picked up 6/121 from 39 overs in only his 2nd four day match for his state.

Queensland batted slowly and steadily in their 1st innings, racking up only 458 from 167 overs at a measly run rate of 2.74. Coincidentally the same run rate as Western Australia's first innings. Ryan Broad was the top scorer for QLD, making 103 from 253 balls, a strike rate of 40. Contributions were aplenty with Lee Carseldine making 80 (184), Chris Hartley 68 (108) and Chris Simpson 70 (111). The game petered out to a draw with Queensland getting first innings points.

At the Adelaide Oval and South Australia smashed Tasmania by 9 wickets in a rather one-sided affair. Tasmania won the toss and elected to bat, but could not take advantage of first use of the wicket as they were bowled out for 246. Brady Jones, who was in for Tim Paine as keeper top scored with 45* in his first first-class match. Tasmania really should have made more, with the top 5 batsmen making starts and then falling.

South Australia replied with 345 as opener James Smith racked up 116. He was well supported by Cosgrove and Manou who made 53 and 40 respectively. Krejza was the pick of the bowlers as he picked up 4/70 on the turning Adelaide Oval deck.

Tasmania crumbled in their 2nd innings, losing 4/43 at the start of the innings and then lost 6 wickets in their last 11 runs to be bowled out for 184. Spinner Aaron O'Brien and medium pacer Daniel Christian ran riot taking 7 wickets between them.

George Bailey was the best batsman for Tassie making 90 with little to no support from the other batsmen and helped them avoid an innings defeat. South Australia cruised to victory chasing down the small total of 76 for the loss of only one wicket.

South Australia will play Tasmania today in the Ford Ranger Cup match while Queensland will play South Australia at the Gabba in a one dayer before playing WA at the same venue a couple of days later.