Victoria’s lower-order batters played a crucial role in securing a commanding 206-run first-innings lead over Western Australia in their Sheffield Shield encounter at the Junction Oval.
After being dismissed for a paltry 167, WA initially kept Victoria in check, reducing them to 207 for 6. However, No. 9 Xavier Crone emerged as an unlikely hero, smashing an unbeaten 62 off just 65 deliveries, including three towering sixes. His innings propelled Victoria to a respectable 373.
Fellow lower-order contributors Fergus O’Neill (44) and Sam Elliott (26) also played their part, forcing WA’s bowlers to toil relentlessly in the scorching heat.
WA’s opening bowlers Joel Paris (3-44) and Cameron Gannon (3-59) along with spinner Corey Rocchiccioli (3-115) shared the wickets, accounting for all but one of WA’s dismissals.
In response, WA faced a challenging hour of batting before stumps, reaching 33 for 1. Sam Fanning and Jayden Goodwin remained unbeaten at the crease.
Opener Cameron Bancroft, who has been struggling for form after dominating the Shield in recent seasons, continued his poor run. After being overlooked for a Test call-up for the first time since the 2019 Ashes, Bancroft fell to O’Neill for 11. In the first innings, he had managed only 12, also losing his wicket to O’Neill.
Victoria’s strong performance has put them in a prime position to become the first team to defeat WA in the Shield this season. WA, aiming for a fourth consecutive title, were undefeated after three matches before their trip to Melbourne.
