214 Reasons To Pick Me For Victoria

Not sure how the Kiwis would be feeling heading into day two of their tour match against a Cricket Australia XI, but no doubt they're hoping to see less sun in the field than they did yesterday. With strike bowler Tim Southee out ill after just three overs, the support staff toiled hard on a road with no success. Aaron Finch had been overlooked for the Victorian Shield team in a somewhat controversial decision, while Ryan carters, despite his pedigree, was unable to force his way into a Test strength New South Wales team. Both took their non-selection out on the New Zealand bowlers, finishing the day unbeaten at 0/376. Finch is 214 and Carters 156.
What do both teams take out of this? New Zealand's support bowlers to Southee and Boult have bowled on roads in Canberra and Western Sydney now for almost no result. If nothing else, they will be match fit for Brisbane. While Finch and Carters will be ecstatic with their efforts, both will know they did well to get in, and then well to not throw their wickets away on the best strip they will see this season. While Carters has already shown he has the potential to follow in his Blues teammates - Haddin and Nevill - steps and go on to national selection as a wicketkeeper-batsman, Finch's breakthrough double century may well be the catalyst that gets his first class career on track.

In Finch's absence, Victoria have consolidated in their match against Queensland, with his nominal replacement Tom Dean unbeaten on 81 in his first class debut. Peter Handscomb, another rising potential national representative is on 46 not out. They have taken Victoria to 2/147 in reply to Queensland's 444, and an exciting day three is in prospect as both sides look to gain first innings points. Dean's innings was assured from the start, fully justifying his selection in the team, and both he and Handscomb will be looking to push on for a big score. Apart from Ben Cutting, who picked up both wickets, the bowling attack looked lacklustre, and no doubt Cutting and Cameron Boyce will be looked upon for a heavy workload on day three.

Michael Klinger pushed on to record another double century in his career, while Ashton Agar brought up a first class century as Western Australia finally declared at 8/432 in their match against Tasmania. Klinger finished on 202 not out, and if he is not chosen in the Test squad this weekend after that performance then he can assume his name has finally been crossed off the possibles list forever. He could not have been any more impressive. At the other end Agar was aggressive and solid, underlining his growing all rounder status as a possible return to the national line-up beckons. To do so he will need to take consistent wickets, an opportunity he may not get in this match, as Tasmania has already collapsed to 5/102 at stumps. Bailey and Paine are all that stands between a possible follow on. Mitch Johnson and Jason Behrendorff were the destroyers, taken two wickets apiece to rip through the top order. Much interest lay in the debut first class innings of wunderkind Jake Doran, but he found the going tough before being dismissed LBW for 5. WA are in the drivers seat, and Tasmania will need to play well to get themselves out of this match.

In Adelaide, the Australian team - here titled New South Wales - have put South Australia in a tough spot at the end of day two. Starting the day at 3/3, the Croweaters fell to 5/9 before Travis Head (37) and Adam Zampa (33*) were able to at least gain some respectability for the side by getting the score to 120, a deficit of 142. Mitch Starc was devastating, finishing with 5/28, with the other wickets being shared around. He was brilliant again, and you can only hope he takes this form into the Tests coming up. Then, just to show it can be done, New South wales finished on 1/217 at stumps. dave warne made another start before falling for 30, while Ed Cowan again did his best Michael Klinger impersonation in attempting a Test recall finishing on 82 not out. the star again was skipper Steve Smith, who accelerated through the final session to be 103 not out at stumps. Leading by 359 runs with 9 wickets in hand and two days to play, there appears no hope for SA to find a way back.