Tempers fray in Vic-WA Shield draw

Victorian captain Peter Siddle was unhappy and WA coach Justin Langer returned fire at the MCG after a tense Sheffield Shield draw.

Victorian captain Peter Siddle has taken Western Australia to task and Warriors coach Justin Langer has fired back after a tense Sheffield Shield draw at the MCG.

Set 390 to win, WA grimly batted out the last day on Tuesday to finish on 8-282.

Tempers clearly became frayed in the last few overs as Victorian appeals were turned down.

Siddle, who took over as captain for this game after Matthew Wade fractured his collarbone on the first morning, did not hold back in his post-match media conference.

"We were always going to bowl all day - they didn't have a crack at all for four days," he said.

"It was up to us to run the game.

"You come here to play against an opposition and you're pretty much playing a match by yourself."

Asked about Siddle's comments, Langer noted Siddle's eyes were down when the two teams shook hands at the end of the match.

Langer said he should choose his words carefully, but then the former Australian opener's famous combative streak took over.

"It's none of Sids' business how we play our cricket, as it's none of our business how they play their cricket," Langer said.

"We've got kids ... it's pretty rich for him to carry on about how we play our cricket.

"They have an incredibly senior team.

"He'll probably be a bit stroppy because they didn't get the points against a very young WA team."

One of those youngsters, 22-year-old opener Will Bosisto, scored his maiden first-class century on day four.

He made 108 and his sixth-wicket stand with Sam Whiteman, with 51no, was crucial.

WA's three top batsmen, who are all in contention for a Test promotion, failed to drive home their claims.

Cameron Bancroft only made four and six, while captain Shaun Marsh fell to a sharp catch for 33 and Michael Klinger was dismissed for 23.

Marsh and Klinger made first-innings half-centuries.

"I hope they go for Michael Klinger - (his) record over the last few years ... he's just scored so many runs," Langer said.

"I'm not sure what else he can do.

"So I hope it's either him or Shaun Marsh.

"If they selected Cameron Bancroft, he's ready to go."

An unusual feature of the last day's play was how Victoria set their slips cordon.

With the pitch playing low, second and third slips were close to the batsman and wearing helmets.

And it paid off, with Peter Handscomb at second slip catching Klinger and Tom Beaton off James Pattinson's bowling.

"You have to try to be innovative on wickets like that when you're the only team having a crack at trying to win a game," Siddle said.

WA allrounder Hilton Cartwright joined Wade in needing surgery from the injury he suffered in the match.

Cartwright will undergo surgery in Melbourne on Thursday and is out for up to 10 weeks after rupturing a tendon in his left hip while fielding on day one.


Share

3 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world