Despite a dramatic collapse late in their first innings, Victoria’s hopes for victory were kept alive thanks to a Nic Maddinson masterclass followed by late Queensland wickets
Match Report:
ScorecardMaddinson-led Victoria shake off collapse with late scalps
Nic Maddinson has celebrated his 100th first-class match with a 15th career century as Victoria claimed a narrow ascendency in their Marsh Sheffield Shield match against Queensland.
Victoria made the most of a 90-minute session with the ball as Queensland stumbled their way to 3-69 at stumps on the penultimate day's play at Junction Oval, a lead of just 58 runs.
Young paceman Mitch Perry (2-20) made a crucial breakthrough with the early wicket of former Test batter Joe Burns, caught behind for 13, while also picking up fellow opener Bryce Street (24).
Spinner Jon Holland (1-20) claimed the key wicket of Matt Renshaw for six, while breakthrough Test star Scott Boland went wicketless across his six overs.
Earlier, Maddinson remained unbeaten on 110 after a typically hard-hitting 147-ball knock that included 11 boundaries and one six.
It was a second century of the season for Maddinson, who also struck a fast-scoring 82 last weekend at Adelaide Oval.
The moment Nic Maddinson scored his 7th FC century for Victoria in just 24 matches. #vicsdoitbetter pic.twitter.com/CE2qrm7zVH
— Victorian Cricket Team (@VicStateCricket) February 20, 2022
It was the NSW-born batter's seventh century in just 24 matches since linking with Victoria in 2018.
Ladder-leaders Victoria appeared on track for a significant lead only to lose their final seven wickets for just 24 runs.
Instead they had to be satisfied with a narrow 11-run lead on the first innings after a dramatic late-order collapse.
Mark Steketee, who this week was called up for Australia's Test tour of Pakistan, and Gurinder Sandhu inspired the spectacular fall of wickets.
Steketee (3-92) kick-started it by knocking over Matt Short (43) and ending a 143-run stand for the fourth wicket.
Sandhu (5-65) then ran through the tail with Victoria's lower-order registering five ducks.
Earlier in the day, Test opener Marcus Harris narrowly missed a century in his final match before the Pakistan tour.
Harris resumed on 88, but added just three to his overnight tally before flashing a James Bazley delivery to gully.
It ended a 180-run second-wicket partnership with Peter Handscomb (92), with the Victorian captain soon following his teammate back to the pavilion when he was bowled by leg-spinner Mitch Swepson.