Sheffield Shield 1st round summary 2020/21: Labuschagne and Marsh score centuries

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Sheffield Shield 1st round 2020/21. Marnus Labuschange and Shaun Marsh scored centuries.

Sheffield Shield 1st Round 2020/21- The Story

In the Sheffield Shield 1st round, South Australia took on Western Australia while Tim Paine’s Tasmania faced Queensland. Due to covid-19 restrictions, it was decided that this round would be played in Adelaide. Both the games went on till the final session of the final day with Queensland and Western Australia clinching victories.

Tasmania Vs Queensland

Bartlett and Neser run through Tasmania

Having won the toss, Tasmania and Australian skipper Tim Paine decided to bat first on what looked like a decent wicket to bat on. Wickets kept falling from one end while Ben McDermott held one end to avoid a collapse. Bartlett dismissed McDermott who departed after scoring 74 runs. Beau Webster’s 54 along with veteran Peter Siddle’s 33 helped Tasmania reach 250. Neser who was excellent with the new ball secured a five wicket haul while Bartlett was rewarded with four wickets.

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Labuschagne continues from where he left last summer

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Australia’s player of the previous summer, Marnus Labuschagne started his Shield campaign with another century. He was first supported by opener Bryce Street who did well to get to his half century after the early dismissal of the national team opener Joe Burns. The runs flow did not stop for Marnus even after losing skipper Khawaja early as he added another 125 runs with Matt Renshaw before the latter ran himself out at 48. Labuschagne fell to Webster at the stroke of stumps after a brilliant 167 and making sure his side was in a comfortable position.

Run Machine Marnus Lights Up Sheffield Shield 2020/21 1st Round

Neser continues to trouble Tasmania

Queensland were well ahead in the game at the start of day three’s play but Neser made sure they end up on driver’s seat. He supported the keeper batsman Jimmy Peirson who added 60 odd runs to the team total. After the fall of 7th wicket, Neser added 117 runs with the tail and brought up his maiden first class century. Neser finished on 121 taking the team total to a mammoth 529 and making a statement to national selectors.

Watch Highlights Of The Sheffield Shield 1st Round Game

Spinners and Bartlett secure the win

With a massive deficit of 279 runs, Tasmania had no option but to block out the remaining 137 overs. Jordan Silk and Jake Doran made things difficult for the Queensland bowlers but eventually gave away their wickets. Mitch Swepson bowled marathon spells and took four wickets on a wearing day four wicket. He was supported by Xavier Bartlett who took three more wickets in the second innings. Even the tail enders tried their best to secure a draw but Swepson knocked over Meredith with 7 overs to spare and Queensland won by an innings and 59 runs.

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Michael Neser was adjudged man of the match for his all round performance

 

South Australia Vs Western Australia

Agar and Inglis set up a record

Western Australia got off to a flying start with a century opening partnership between Bancroft and Whiteman. However, Lloyd Pope did not let them control the game after dismissing all of their top five batsmen. WA were restricted at 5-215 from where Ashton Agar and Josh Inglis took over. They created a record 266 run sixth-wicket stand as skipper Shaun Marsh decided to declare the innings at 5-481. Agar and Inglis remained unbeaten at 114 and 153.

South Australia collapse after a healthy start

South Australia got off to a brilliant start with opener Jake Weatherald reaching a century. Only one wicket fell on day two but day three turned out to be eventful with Ashton Agar bagging five wickets while Cameron Gannon took three wickets. South Australia were bundled out for 314 with a deficit of 167 runs in the Sheffield Shield 1st round.

Shaun Marsh scores a quickfire century

Western Australia needed some quickfire runs and skipper Shaun Marsh rose to the occasion. Marsh scored a run a ball 110 not out and along with Cameron’s Bancroft’s support, he helped his side reach 2-215 in just 45 overs and enforce an early declaration. South Australia had to survive 90 odd overs as the target of 383 seemed far fetched.

Highlights Of The Sheffield Shield 1st Round Game

Western Australia sealed a late victory

All the Western Australia bowlers contributed in the 4th innings. While the pace trio of Kelly, Paris and Gannon bagged two wickets each, Agar and Turner picked one apiece. Debutant Lance Morris earned his maiden wicket too. Travis Head’s wicket was the turning point which gave Western Australia the confidence to pull off a victory. With almost half an hour of play left, the second new ball was taken and South Australia still had two wickets remaining. However, within the 3rd over with the second new ball, Joel Paris and Cameron Gannon wrapped up the game.

Ashton Agar was adjudged man of the match for his all round performance. A brilliant Sheffield Shield 1st round 2020/21.

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