Sheffield Shield: Nic Maddinson plunders Tasmania attack as Vics struggle
While others failed around him, Nic Maddinson did his Aussie Test recall chances no harm with a belligerent stand on a green-top to keep Victoria in their Sheffield Shield clash with Tasmania.
Vic Cricket
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Nic Maddinson has given national selectors another reminder of his credentials, smacking more than half of Victoria’s runs as his Test-hopeful teammates failed.
Victoria were skittled for just 127 by Tasmania on the opening day of a wicket-filled Sheffield Shield match at Bellerive Oval on Thursday.
Incumbent Test opener Marcus Harris (13), Peter Handscomb (11) and talented youngster Will Pucovski (3) were all out cheaply after the visitors were sent in on a green-top.
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In reply, Tasmania wobbled to 5-118 at stumps with Matthew Wade unbeaten on 44. The Vics collapsed to 8-66 shortly after lunch before Maddinson decided to open the shoulders.
He hit six sixes and five fours in his 69 from 68 balls.
Maddinson, who made 224 against South Australia in his Shield opener, has 367 first-class runs at 91.75 this season.
“I hadn’t seen a wicket behave like that in while. It’s a bit different to what we’ve had the last couple of weeks,” the 27-year-old said, referencing a recent flat Junction Oval pitch that copped criticism.
Maddinson’s cameo ended when he was caught in the deep off seamer Alex Pyecroft, who finished with 3-16 after starting the rot with the wicket of Harris.
Jackson Bird (3-35) and Riley Meredith (2-53) also chimed in as Victoria reached 6-55 at lunch.
Handscomb had a six-ball stay at the crease, hitting two boundaries before skying Meredith to long leg.
The express quick then had the highly-rated Pucovski caught at short leg off a searing bouncer.
Bird, who sat out Tasmania’s last match for the birth of his first child, returned late in the first session to remove Matt Short and Sam Harper for single figures.
Maddinson said it was a team decision to then go the tonk.
“It’s hard to judge (the innings) because I was doing something out of the ordinary in a four-day game,” he said.
Replacing rested Test skipper Tim Paine behind the stumps, Jake Doran snaffled five catches.
Victoria were rolled midway through the second session, but had the Tigers in early trouble at 2-29 at tea.
Veteran George Bailey, recalled after being dropped last match, rallied but was out for 47 offering an easy caught-and-bowled to spinner Jon Holland.