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Wicketkeeper Sam Harper dragged Victoria out of early trouble on a rain-hit opening day of their clash with South Australia on Tuesday with the third-fastest century in Sheffield Shield history.
Sent in to bat first, Victoria crumbled to 4-29 and then 5-67 in tricky, overcast batting conditions against South Australia at the Adelaide Oval.
Campbell Kellaway congratulates Sam Harper of his stunning century.Credit: Getty Images
But as batting became slightly easier, Harper launched an aggressive rear-guard assault to help Victoria reach 5-187 by stumps. It was Harper’s third first-class century in his 44th game.
He brought up the milestone from 64 balls in a knock that included six sixes. Only David Hookes (34 balls) and Luke Ronchi (51 balls) have scored faster Shield centuries.
The 26-year-old will resume on Wednesday unbeaten on 101 after combining with Campbell Kellaway (38 not out) for a 120-run partnership.
Just 43 overs were bowled as rain and a wet outfield delayed play significantly before bad light brought play to an early finish.
The most controversial moment of the day came when Peter Handscomb refused to leave the crease after being caught by Redbacks captain Jake Lehmann in the slips.
Sam Harper smashed six sixes in his whirlwind unbeaten knock.Credit: Getty Images
Handscomb edged a ball off Brendan Doggett’s bowling but the 32-year-old seemed uncertain Lehmann had correctly held the catch.
After a discussion with the umpires he walked off, dismissed for seven.
First-change bowler Doggett claimed 2-45 but it was Wes Agar (3-25) who did the bulk of the damage by ripping through openers Travis Dean and Test aspirant Marcus Harris to have Victoria reeling at 2-4.
The teams are ranked third and fourth on the ladder, making it a crunch final match before the Shield pauses for a long break until February during the Big Bash League window.
AAP
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