Sheffield Shield: Nic Maddinson creates rare history with third consecutive century for Victoria

James Pavey

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Sheffield Shield: Nic Maddinson creates rare history with third consecutive century for Victoria image

It's Nic Maddinson's world, and we're just living in it.

The Victorian is making batting look easy, with the left-hander scoring his third Sheffield Shield ton in as many matches on Tuesday.

He now has 445 runs this season at 111.25 from five innings. Dominant.

Two matches have already resulted, with New South Wales flogging Queensland at the Gabba before Western Australia chased down South Australia's hefty target with ease.

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Sporting News looks at which names hit the headlines in the eighth Shield round.

QLD v NSW

New South Wales 150 (Larkin 31, Feldman 5/20) and 298 (Henriques 78, Neser 3/73) def. Queensland 185 (Steketee 41*, Copeland 3/49) and 89 (Renshaw 31, Abbott 5/31) by 174 runs 

Sean Abbott starred with 5/31 from 13 overs to skittle Queensland for just 89 to help the away side record a 174-run win at the Gabba on Tuesday.

In a low-scoring, three-day affair, Queensland were set 264 to win on a tough wicket. After being reduced to 3/14 - with Test batsman Joe Burns and Marnus Labuschagne gone for ducks, the latter copping a pair - it was a no-contest.

Moises Henriques took 3/7 and wiped out the middle order, including opener Matt Renshaw for 31. Henriques was adjudged player of the match following his second innings 78.

Second-placed NSW are now fingertips from a final berth as they chase their first Shield title in five years.


 

WA v SA

Western Australia 157 (Philippe 47, Winter 4/23) and 4/243 (Philippe 53*, Mennie 3/55) def. South Australia 159 (McInerney 43, Guthrie 4/53) and 240 (Head 72, Kelly 6/67) by six wickets

Josh Philippe top-scored in both innings, his unbeaten second innings effort proving the difference as Western Australia chased down 242 with ease at the WACA.

Liam Guthrie took 4/53 to help WA roll cellar-dwellars South Australia for 159 on the first day, before Nick Winter also took four to help his side to a two-run first innings lead.

SA looked like they were up to the fight, with Travis Head scoring 72 to help the away side score 240. However, more lower order resistance could have helped their chances, with Matthew Kelly picking up 6/67.

From there, the home side were obdurate, with Cameron Bancroft - fresh off a one-man show against NSW last week - scoring 52, while fellow opener Sam Whiteman helped himself to 44.

However, Philippe's 62-ball 53 put the result beyond doubt as WA cantered past their target.


 

VIC v TAS

STUMPS DAY 1: Victoria 7/376 (Maddinson 136, Meredith 3/69)

Nic Maddinson was the name on everyone's lips after day 1 at Junction Oval, with the Victorian left-hander scoring his third Shield ton in as many matches.

Maddinson was at the crease by the fourth over following two early wickets - Travis Dean (2) and Will Pucovski (0) falling to Riley Meredith - but a partnership with Test opener Marcus Harris helped the hosts into a commanding position by stumps.

From over 40 overs together, the pair scored quickly and put on 170 before Harris holed out for 94.

Maddinson didn't stop there, and brought up his hundred off 150 balls - another remarkable performance considering he broke his arm in his Shield debut for Victoria in December.

The injury - suffered after a clean blow from by WA's Jhye Richardson - required surgery, with a 10cm metal pin inserted in his forearm.

On Tuesday, he was eventually lbw to Gabe Bell for a 197-ball 136, but Matt Short (45) and Seb Gotch (32*) pushed the hosts to 7/376 at the close.

Maddinson joined a very exclusive club with the century - he became the second player, with the incomparable Sir Don Bradman, to score hundreds in each of his first three matches played for a Shield side.


 

James Pavey

James Pavey Photo