Exiled opener’s grim Shield return; Test hopeful’s major statement – Wrap

Nic Maddinson’s Sheffield Shield return after being discarded from the Test squad didn’t go to plan as NSW collapsed on the second day against Tasmania.

But there were no such concerns for a Victorian gun who continued his hot streak of form; while South Australia’s hopes of a remarkable comeback win against Western Australia were quickly snuffed out.

All that and more in the latest edition of Sheffield Shield Wrap!

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EXILED OPENER’S GRIM RETURN AS HOPEFULS FAIL

Nic Maddinson’s first Sheffield Shield match since being exiled from Australia’s Test team didn’t go to plan.

Having returned from South Africa, the NSW captain – tellingly batting at number four after being elevated to open for the national team – managed just two before edging Tasmanian quick Jackson Bird to slip.

He wasn’t the only Blue to fail, with 39-year old Bird, almost nine years on from the last of his nine Tests, taking four wickets in seaming conditions.

In-form openers Ollie Davies and Sam Konstas failed to further press their cases for a Test call-up, edging Bird behind to wicketkeeper Jake Doran for 13 and 5 respectively.

Kurtis Patterson also missed a chance to enhance his credentials for the Australian No.3 slot, caught behind off Bradley Hope for 14.

Hope had earlier fallen heartbreakingly short of his third first-class century when he was caught behind off Blues quick Ben Dwarshuis for 99.

His fall was part of an early day collapse from the Tigers, who started 5/335 but slumped to 9/396 before a quick 25 from Bird helped take the hosts to 427.

After slumping to 3/26 following Maddinson’s dismissal, things improved for batting, with Lachlan Shaw and Ryan Hicks managing 40s to take the Blues to 8/174 by stumps.

However, they are still well short of the Tigers’ imposing total on a pitch offering far more for bowlers than it appeared on day one.

Bird finished with an impressive 4/39 from his 15 overs.

WA DEFY REDBACKS FIGHT AS FORGOTTEN SPINNER DAZZLES

South Australia’s hopes of a remarkable comeback victory were quickly snuffed out by Western Australia on the final day of their clash at the Adelaide Oval.

Going in at 1/182 chasing 422, with Mackenzie Harvey unbeaten on 90 and Nathan McSweeney on 57, the reigning Sheffield Shield champions were more than a puncher’s chance of completing the run chase.

But Harvey was bowled without adding to his overnight total as Ashton Agar found sharp turn, with the forgotten Test spinner taking three key final-day wickets to lead the Warriors to a 105-run win.

The result leaves WA atop the Sheffield Shield total, while the Redbacks suffered their second loss in a row.

McSweeney also didn’t last long, caught by Cameron Bancroft off emerging quick Kieran Elliott for 66, while the Redbacks collapsed late to go from 6/295 to 316 all out.

HOPEFUL’S MAJOR STATEMENT AFTER TEST SQUAD TASTE

Victorian wicketkeeper Sam Harper has continued his hot run of form to start the cricket season, making a fluent 63 on a topsy-turvy day at the Gabba against Queensland.

Harper, who was called up to Australia’s Test squad following a century for Australia A as injury cover for Josh Inglis, hit nine fours and six in an 89-ball knock to add 102 for the opening wicket with Marcus Harris.

Having moved to open the batting for the Vics last season, Harper’s glut of runs, made at a rapid pace, saw him emerge as a potential Test candidate, a rise rubber-stamped by his Australian squad appearance in South Africa.

While he was sent home alongside Maddinson to take part in the ongoing Sheffield Shield round, his damaging knock keeps him alive in selectors’ thoughts, with Marnus Labuschagne having failed once more at Newlands.

Harris, meanwhile, made 56, while emerging talent Campbell Kellaway ground out 64 off 156 balls in a patient innings and all-rounder Fergus O’Neill struck a late-day 52.

But three single-figure scores in the middle order evened the day’s honours, with Ollie Peake caught behind for a duck while Peter Handscomb did likewise off Cameron Gannon for just four.

The Vics ended the day 9/282 after being sent in by the Bulls, with veteran quick Cameron Gannon starring with 5/60.