Queensland collapse again to hand NSW vital Shield win

Sam Konstas has continued his encouraging return to run-scoring form as NSW claimed a 341-run Sheffield Shield win over Queensland. 

Fresh off a first century in 14 months in NSW's first innings on Friday, Konstas returned to the crease at the SCG on Sunday and hit a patient yet purposeful 53.

The axed Test opener brought up his half century off 53 balls before edging Mitchell Swepson to Hugh Weibgen at first slip.

Konstas scored three fours in what was his second best return of the Shield season to date, but the pick of his shots was when he slogged Swepson for six over deep mid-wicket. 

The 20-year-old, who garnered plenty of attention for his gung-ho start in Test cricket last year, appeared to be playing with greater confidence and poise.

Konstas' encouraging knock on day three put NSW's on course for victory after the Blues had bowled Queensland out for 92 earlier in the day.

The under-strength Bulls had finished day two in a heap after falling to 7-67.

Swepson was the first Queenslander to fall on Sunday when Charlie Stobo claimed his fifth wicket of the innings and when they were all out the Bulls trailed by 379 runs.

The breathing room gave the Blues' top order a chance to add runs quickly with Konstas top-scoring.

Lachlan Shaw finished with 30 not out off 33 balls before NSW declared on 4-143, leaving Queensland a target of 523 to win. 

But Queensland hardly got going with only Hugo Burdon (59) putting up any form of resistance at the top of the order. 

Burdon was eventually trapped lbw by Tanveer Sangha but NSW had to work to put away  Swepson as he led Queensland's final-wicket partnership with Benji Floros.

Swepson (40) was caught when he nudged a Liam Hatcher delivery to Kurtis Patterson at third man as Queensland were dismissed for 181.

Sheffield Shield 2025-26 standings

Team	Matches played M	Wins W	Losses L	Drawn D	No results N/R	Deductions Ded.	Batting Bonus Bat	Bowling Bonus Bowl	Total points PTS
1 Victoria Men VIC	6	5	1	0	0	0	5.87	5.3	41.17
2 Queensland Bulls QLD	6	2	2	2	0	0	8.18	4.2	26.38
3 South Australia Men SA	6	2	2	2	0	0	4.69	5.6	24.29
4 NSW Men NSW	6	2	3	1	0	0	4.65	4.9	22.55
5 Tasmanian Tigers Men TAS	6	2	3	1	0	2	3.34	5	19.34
6 Western Australia Men WA	6	1	3	2	0	0	1.61	5.5	15.11

Legend

M: Matches played

W: Wins

L: Losses

D: Drawn

N/R: No results

Ded.: Deductions

Bat: Batting Bonus

Bowl: Bowling Bonus

PTS: Total points