The Vics couldn’t have asked for a better start.
A swashbuckling century from Sam Harper gave Victoria the upper hand in its important Sheffield Shield clash with Western Australia.
Get all the latest cricket news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!
Harper, opening the batting, took to the Jhye Richardson-led WA on his way to 50 off just 27 balls after being sent in on a green WACA pitch.
Off-spinner Corey Rocchiccioli was the only bowler able to restrict Harper during the first session, bowling six overs for 10 runs.
The Vics went to lunch 0-126, courtesy of their dashing gloveman’s 80 from 56 balls and Campbell Kellaway’s 41 off 112.
Harper and Kellaway offered zero chances and only played and missed at two balls across the first session but the left-hander was dismissed first ball after the break.
He had no trouble lifting off where he started, taking 11 runs off his first over after the break.
In an innings full of innovation, it was a textbook on drive which brought up his fourth Shield century off just 76 balls.
Harper was the Big Bash League player of the tournament this summer and he took that approach to the WACA on Monday.
Victoria, which was 1-155 in the 34th over when Harper reached his ton, only needs to win one of its final three matches to cement a home Shield game at Junction Oval.
Elsewhere, Test opener Jake Weatherald failed to capitalise on his blazing start against NSW in Hobart.
Weatherald raced to 19 off nine balls with three fours and a six but was again dismissed playing the pull shot.
Tasmania was 5-70 after winning the toss and electing to bat.
Marnus Labuschagne was also caught behind in his match for Queensland against South Australia but was in a much more peculiar position.
Labuschagne shimmied outside leg slump before pushing at a full ball for 8.
Queensland was 9-184, courtesy of a classy half century from Jimmy Pierson.
Discussion about this post