Sheffield Shield: Victoria continues monster unbeaten streak against NSW

Victoria claimed a big victory over a star-studded New South Wales at the MCG to continue one of cricket’s longest streaks.

Young fast bowler Sam Elliott cleaned up the tail to extend a mammoth 16-game unbeaten streak for Victoria against New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield on Wednesday.

Elliott claimed career best figures of 4-44, including the important wicket of NSW keeper Josh Philippe for 88, to seal a 141-run win at the MCG and take the Vics to the top of the Shield table.

The result meant Victoria’s streak against NSW will continue into an eighth year, with the Blues having not beaten their old rivals in a red-ball clash since February 2017.

Resuming at 6-185 in pursuit of 383, Philippe looked on track for a fourth first-class hundred before he flashed at a wide delivery from Elliott and nicked it behind.

The wickets of Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon and Jackson Bird quickly followed, all falling to Elliott, who vindicated his selection over Australia A-capped quick Mitch Perry with match figures of 4-62 from 23 overs.

“It’s one of the better wins we’ve had over the last few years – and we’ve had some really good ones as well,” said Victoria coach Chris Rogers.

“We’ve had a real focus on understanding moments in the game and how we stand up under pressure.

“We were tested a number of times in this game and I think we had all the answers, and we’re playing a very good side as well. It was a bit of a complete performance from our guys.”

Sam Elliott claimed career best figures of 4-44 to help Victoria to a comprehensive win over New South Wales in the Sheffield Shield on Wednesday. Picture: Darrian Traynor / Getty Images

NSW captain Moises Henriques was, rightly, left extremely disappointed by the result given the quality of the NSW line-up.

“A tough one to cop,” he said.

“It’s probably going to take a while to digest. I felt like we were out-played for the duration.”

Western Australia had Tasmania on the ropes at the WACA heading into the final day’s play, with the Tigers leading by only 80 runs at 9-135 in their second innings.

Test hopeful Beau Webster fought hard for 35 but was dismayed to be given out lbw to Matthew Kelly for a ball which could have hit his pads outside the line of off stump.

Mitchell Marsh again did not bowl as fellow all-rounder Aaron Hardie sent down six overs and produced a sharply rising delivery to have Jake Doran caught behind for 34.

After losing to South Australia by just three runs in a Sheffield Shield classic last year, Queensland had made a solid start to their chase of 359 at Allan Border Field.

Matt Renshaw fell caught behind to Nathan McAndrew for 21 to continue his first-class run drought, as Usman Khawaja forged ahead to be unbeaten on 39 with Marnus Labuschagne on six.