South Australia and Victoria play out dull draw as tempers flare off the field
It was incredibly boring on the pitch, but South Australia and Victoria’s Sheffield Shield draw became a war of words off it over the Redbacks decision not to set up a fourth-day run chase.
SA Cricket
Don't miss out on the headlines from SA Cricket. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- The “game is dead” Handscomb lays into Redbacks
- How to get the most out of your Advertiser digital subscription
Victoria must also take its share of the blame for the dull draw to open the Sheffield Shield season Redbacks captain Travis Head says, saying the Bushrangers themselves contributed to no fourth-day run chase being struck up.
On a concrete-like wicket at Junction Oval 1285 runs were scored and just 12 wickets fell over four days in a snoozefest to open the Shield season.
With no result in sight, and the sight of Test quick James Pattinson bowling off-spin on day three summing up what bowlers thought of the conditions, a draw was declared half-an-hour before tea on day four - with the Redbacks at 6-671 and Tom Cooper unbeaten on his highest ever first class score of 270 off 346 balls.
But the focus has turned to who is to blame for the game turning into a farcical bore-fest for much of the last two days of action.
After the third day of play, Victorian captain Peter Handscomb slammed Head and the Redbacks for refusing to set up a final day run chase of 350 off 80 overs.
“I’m just annoyed the game is dead,” Handscomb said.
“We thought that (our offer) was fine but turns out it wasn’t. Eighty overs still isn’t long enough to get 10 wickets but it sure as hell is long enough to get 350 runs, which we thought was pretty good.
“We’ll shake hands at tea, tell everyone thanks for coming, sorry for such a boring game of Shield cricket … they come here and get a draw and that’s it. Normally we beat them.”
Handscomb’s comments were lambasted on social media, with seven-time Test player Brad Hogg saying the Victorian captain had underrated the Redbacks after the Bushrangers made 6-616 declared.
MORE NEWS
Boof’s back and ready to have fun
Who should fill the Test batting slots for Australia?
After the game finished Head said there was no bad blood between the two sides, but did say he felt that the Bushrangers expected his side to roll over after their big innings.
“I think we earnt a lot of respect … I don’t think they expected us to do that to be quite honest,” he said.
“I don’t think there is bad blood, I know he said they normally beat us that was the only thing that really annoyed me.
“I think they misread the wicket a little bit.”
Head said he had pushed for the Redbacks run chase to be 300 to 320 off the 80 overs, but the Bushrangers would not accept it.
“We just couldn’t come to a decision, it’s not good for the game yes but I think both teams with the stronghold they had couldn’t arrive at a decision,” he said.
Head also said the pitch at Junction Oval was not good enough.
“I think they don’t want that, we don’t want that and cricket doesn’t want that (that sort of pitch),” he said
“You don’t want (just) 11 wickets to fall. Unfortunately we’ve copped that.”
Just the one wicket fell on the final day of play when Andrews (101) was caught off Glenn Maxwell (2-158) soon after bringing up his maiden first class century.
Cooper resumed on 188 and could not be moved as he well and truly surpassed his previous best first-class effort of 203 not out as he cashed in on the flat pitch and a lack of Victorian intent.
One drinks break went for nearly 10 minutes, summing up just how ponderous the final day of play was.
Originally published as South Australia and Victoria play out dull draw as tempers flare off the field