{"id":298443,"date":"2023-11-28T09:24:14","date_gmt":"2023-11-28T09:24:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tellmysport.com\/?p=298443"},"modified":"2023-11-28T09:24:14","modified_gmt":"2023-11-28T09:24:14","slug":"victorias-harper-smashes-third-fastest-shield-ton","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tellmysport.com\/%d1%81ricket\/victorias-harper-smashes-third-fastest-shield-ton\/","title":{"rendered":"Victoria\u2019s Harper smashes third-fastest Shield ton"},"content":{"rendered":"
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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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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Campbell Kellaway congratulates Sam Harper of his stunning century.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty Images<\/cite><\/p>\n But as batting became slightly easier, Harper launched an aggressive rear-guard assault to help Victoria reach 5-187 by stumps. It was Harper\u2019s third first-class century in his 44th game.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The 26-year-old will resume on Wednesday unbeaten on 101 after combining with Campbell Kellaway (38 not out) for a 120-run partnership.<\/p>\n Just 43 overs were bowled as rain and a wet outfield delayed play significantly before bad light brought play to an early finish.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sam Harper smashed six sixes in his whirlwind unbeaten knock.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty Images<\/cite><\/p>\n Handscomb edged a ball off Brendan Doggett\u2019s bowling but the 32-year-old seemed uncertain Lehmann had correctly held the catch.<\/p>\n After a discussion with the umpires he walked off, dismissed for seven.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n AAP<\/em><\/p>\n Sports news, results and expert commentary.<\/i><\/b> Sign up for our Sport newsletter<\/i><\/b>.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\nMost Viewed in Sport<\/h2>\n
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