The round of shield cricket all sports lovers love
The form guide was wrong and the teams lower on the table won, even the cellar dwelling Appleeaters upset ladder leading Vics !
Who knows who will be in the shield final ?
Vic and Tas fielded teams based on the NSW model of including as many keepers as possible with Paine opening the batting and Triffit wearing the gauntlets for Tas while Vic had Ayre opening, Handscomb batting and Wade keeping, but it did allow Wade to have another trundle in a shield game, after Tassie had made over 500. Not a successful move based on runs scored or overs bowled. Vics bowling failed for the first time this year. In other news Cameron White hit his first century in a long time.
The 'Tahs came from behind after after young Joof showed his potential again and the Croweaters bowling attack looked to have regained its early season form But this was Copeland's game, 5 wickets in the second innings and batting the "Tahs to victory.
The only declaration game was at the WACA with Bancroft and Harris then Marsh and Klinger cashed in.while Labuscagne and Lynn returned the favour for the Bananabenders. The bowlers ? Its a batsmans game out west.
After 8 rounds
Batting
Vic Dean 626, Handscomb 547
Qld Renshaw 637, Heazlett 590
NSW Paterson 531, Cowan 476
WA Bancroft 699, Klinger 597
SA Lehmann 527, Ferguson 478
Tas Dunk 825, Bailey 655
Dunk has cleared out as leading runscorer, Lehmann has become SA leading runscorer, Bancroft has leaped up to second.
Bottom placed Tas has two of the three leading run scorers. SA lack of runs indicated by Ferguson still being their second leading scorer despite missing 3 games
Bowling
Vic Boland 23, Ahmed 22
Qld Hopes 20, Sketetee 18
NSW Bollinger 24, O'Keefe 17
WA Paris 28, Hogan 25
SA Mennie 37, Worrall 24
Tas Fekete 28, Bird 25
Mennie continues to be the leading wicket taker, Paris continuing to take wickets despite only playing half a game. Fekete moving up the list as the season goes on.
Next round starts 5th March