Kellaway guides Victoria to nervy win as Lehmann slams ‘horrendous’ day one pitch

Victoria 288 & 157 for 7 (Kellaway 35*, Harper 34, Doggett 3-41) beat South Australia 173 and 271 (Nielsen 67, Hunt 54, O’Neill 5-47) by three wickets

Kellaway was virtually run out on 8, and he loved one other fortunate break on 19 when a robust lbw shout from Agar was turned down. Replays confirmed Kellaway was plumb in entrance. Kellaway was given one other life on 30 when a tricky one-handed probability at leg slip was put down. The 21-year-old made probably the most of his fortune to mix with Harper for a match-winning 50-run stand.

South Australia made simply 173 of their first innings on a wicket that featured loads of ghosts on the opening day. Although the Redbacks fought again with 271 of their second dig, their poor opening ended up being the distinction within the match.

“The pitch on day one was pretty horrendous in my opinion,” Lehmann stated. “To get dobbed in on that and find a way to a score that we could compete in shows strength and character.

“Credit to us there, however sadly we could not come away with a win. If we [had] received the toss, we in all probability would have rolled them as effectively.”

Victoria’s third win on the trot lifted them into second on the ladder with three rounds remaining, while South Australia will likely end the round in fifth spot.

Stand-in Victoria captain Peter Handscomb paid special tribute to player of the match Nic Maddinson, who scored 104 in the first innings in his first Shield match since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament on New Year’s Day 2023.

“Maddo’s innings was game-defining,” Handscomb said. “Everyone discovered it powerful on this wicket. It appeared like there was seam motion from ball one to the final ball of the day, which was superior to see. But the best way Maddo performed – counter-punched effectively but additionally had a robust defence – was unbelievable to observe.”

The hosts made the worst start possible to day four, with first-innings centurion Maddinson chipping Doggett straight to mid-on on the first ball of the morning.

Doggett struck again to remove nightwatchman Xavier Crone, while Handscomb made just 8 before being clean bowled by Agar. Jonathan Merlo’s exit for 17 left Victoria needing 56 more runs with just four wickets in hand.

But Harper made gentle work of the duty at hand, cracking three fours and two sixes to take the sport away from the guests.