'Brilliant' Boxing Day in store at MCG, say Shield teams

Victoria opener Marcus Harris and Western Australia coach Beau Casson have defended MCG curator Matt Page after just 16 wickets fell in their Sheffield Shield draw.

The match ended with Victoria at 1-109 in their second innings, with the sides shaking hands about halfway through a rain-interrupted fourth day.

After resuming on Saturday trailing by 15 runs at 0-7, Victoria nightwatchman Todd Murphy scored his maiden first-class half-century.

The 25-year-old spinner smashed five fours and a six before being bowled by Ashton Agar for 63 off 90 deliveries.

Sam Harper (4no off 35) and Harris (37no off 121) were in no hurry to add runs, blunting WA's attack before the teams called it quits mid-afternoon.

It was Victoria's second straight draw of the season, while WA remain undefeated with two wins and two draws after four rounds.

While expressing frustration at the result, Harris described the pitch delivered by Page as a "good wicket".

"I actually spent some time with Pagey this morning," the 34-year-old former Test opener told reporters.

"If that was to be what we get rolled out on Boxing Day, you'd be in for a good Test.

"The difference between Shield cricket and a Test match is probably a fair bit ... and I think CA (Cricket Australia) would probably get five days of revenue."

Cricket Australia estimated the two-day Ashes Tests in Perth and at the MCG last summer cost about $20 million in lost revenue.

The veteran batsman compared Page's Shield offering to the "slow and low" MCG pitches he had to overcome in his first few years with Victoria.

"It still felt like it had good pace and bounce in it," Harris said.

"It started to deteriorate towards the end of yesterday and today, so you add in an extra day for a Test match, I think it would be a brilliant wicket."

Casson also had no issue with the MCG pitch, lamenting rain delays changing conditions.

"There was enough grass standing up on day one to be able to give the fast bowlers something in the very first session of the game," he said.

"And then if it played out like we saw it with David Moody's spell on day two halfway through, where he started to get a bit of reverse swing ... it could have been different.

"But so far I think he's done a remarkable job being able to change his recipe and I have no doubt he'll be in a better position to make it even better for the Test match."

Apart from the pitch, the match will be best remembered for unbeaten centuries in the first innings from Victoria's Peter Handscomb (169no off 323 balls) and WA's Corey Wasley (179 off 337).

Casson expressed pride with 21-year-old Wasley's temperament to navigate his way to a maiden first-class century and build multiple partnerships.

"He's done a mountain of work," the WA coach said.

"I know his dad flew over to come and watch him play this game ... he came into the rooms last night.

"It was a great knock and something he'll never forget."

2026-27 Sheffield Shield standings

Round 1

Team	Matches played M	Wins W	Losses L	Ties T	Drawn D	No results N/R	Deductions Ded.	Batting Bonus Bat	Bowling Bonus Bowl	Total points PTS
1 Western Australia Men WA	4	2	0	0	2	0	0	3.15	2.8	19.95
2 Queensland Bulls QLD	4	2	1	0	1	0	-1	3.12	4	19.12
3 Tasmanian Tigers Men TAS	4	2	1	0	1	0	0	2.31	3.5	18.81
4 NSW Men NSW	4	1	1	0	2	0	0	4.81	3.4	16.21
5 South Australia Men SA	4	1	3	0	0	0	0	2.67	3.4	12.07
6 Victoria Men VIC	4	0	2	0	2	0	0	2.58	2.9	7.48

Legend

M: Matches played

W: Wins

L: Losses

T: Ties

D: Drawn

N/R: No results

Ded.: Deductions

Bat: Batting Bonus

Bowl: Bowling Bonus

PTS: Total points