Quick’s stunning audition sparks insane collapse; reigning champs’ brutal statement – Shield Wrap

A WA batter has defied a hamstring injury to prove the hero in an epic finish to seal a thrilling comeback; while South Australia started their Sheffield Shield title defence in brutal fashion.

Meanwhile, Tasmania fought for a draw against NSW after giving up a monster first-innings lead. All that and more in the Sheffield Shield Wrap!

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‘CRAB-WALKING’ INJURED BATTER’S HEROICS IN EPIC WA WIN

Western Australia batter Sam Fanning has defied a serious hamstring injury to literally limp his way to victory in a thrilling clash with Queensland.

Fanning, who suffered a suspected torn hamstring in the field on Day 3, wasn’t expected to bat as the Warriors chased 201 for victory after quick Jhye Richardson sent an emphatic message to selectors with a rapid five-wicket haul to turn the match on its head.

But duty called for the opener on the final day at the WACA after Bulls quick Xavier Bartlett took three early wickets, including Joel Paris and Jhye Richardson on successive balls, to leave the hosts eight down and still 40 runs adrift.

Batting at No.10, Fanning limped to the middle to join captain Aaron Hardie - and produced nearly two hours’ worth of defiance.

Barely able to run, the 25-year old shuffled from end to end to tick the runs off, hitting two boundaries in his 82-ball 14.

He was rewarded for the gutsy act with the winning runs as he worked Barlett through mid-wicket, somehow managing to complete a two.

“Sam Fanning crab-walks his way to victory for Western Australia!” the commentator exclaimed.

“The most unlikely of victories - he tore his hamstring in the field, he came in at No.10, he scores the winning runs!”

A delighted Fanning embraced Hardie, who finished unbeaten on 80, as the Warriors celebrated the unlikely win.

It wouldn’t have been possible without Richardson, who took 5/19 in just 55 balls to lead the charge as Queensland were bowled out for just 68 in 25.1 overs at the WACA.

Renshaw reflects on stunning 190 | 10:11

The Bulls had taken a first-innings lead of 132 on the back of wicketkeeper Jimmy Peirson’s century and five wickets from seamer Xavier Bartlett.

But after Joel Paris struck twice in the first over of their second innings to remove both openers Hugh Weibgen and Angus Lovell, it was the Richardson show in Perth.

On return from Australia A duties, the 30-year old was at his menacing best to rip through the Bulls’ middle and lower orders, and said his sights remain on a Test recall, more than seven years on from an impressive debut.

“Obviously I’ve had a small taste of it and desperately want to get back there,” he said.

“It’s just nice to be out there playing cricket and bowling a lot of overs.”

The Warriors dealt with chaos throughout the match, with debutant Tom Murray substituted out of the match for Sam Whiteman after the opening day due to illness.

152-OVER TASSIE FIGHTBACK SAVES GAME

Tasmania have secured a draw in their clash with NSW in Sydney despite giving up a whopping 255-run first innings lead.

After Ollie Davies’ spectacular 253 powered the Blues to 9/500 declared, the Tigers were left needing to bat for nearly two full days to force a draw.

But with the wicket having flattened out despite early criticism of its thick grass coverage, the visitors reached stumps on Day 3 at 2/203, before continuing to fight with a score of 5/379 at tea on the final day.

The innings made it to 5/402 off 153 overs before NSW captain Charlie Stabo conceded the draw.

The 141-over rearguard act was started by veteran Caleb Jewell’s measured 88 at the top of the order got the ball rolling, while 28-year old Tim Ward lasted 250 balls for a defiant 83 before being bowled by Sean Abbott.

After two early wickets from Sean Abbott threatened to kill the contest, Ward combined Jake Doran for a 75-run stand, before Doran (84 not out) and Bradley Hope (53 not out) took the Tigers to safety.

The innings is a stark contrast to that of the Blues, who went at more than five runs an over in their rollicking 97-over innings, headlined by Davies’ staggering double-ton off just 225 balls.

CHAMPS’ EMPHATIC STATEMENT

South Australia have begun their Sheffield Shield title defence in brutal fashion, thrashing Victoria at the Junction Oval by an innings to confirm they remain the team to beat.

With both sides missing key players on Test and Australia A duty, the Redbacks’ first innings 508, powered by centuries from acting captain Ben Manenti and debutant Noah McFadyen, was too much for the Vics.

Half-centuries from Campbell Kellaway and Fergus O’Neill took the match into the final day, but three wickets apiece from Nathan McAndrew and Henry Thornton secured an innings and 40-run victory at the site of their dramatic Shield final victory earlier this year.

Appropriately, McFadyen, who impressed with the ball as well as the bat on debut, sealed victory with a return catch off No. 11 David Moody.

“We felt we missed the mark a little bit with the ball on day one,” Manenti told AAP.

“But then we countered that and did really well (in the second innings).

“We were ruthless in our line and length and our plans in what we wanted to do. It’s a great start.”

The Redbacks’ major concern is a concussion to opener Jake Weatherald, who was substituted out of the match after Day 1 and is in doubt for their next match against Queensland, starting on October 19.

Weatherald crashed into the boundary fence trying to stop an Ollie Davies four, and while he was out for a duck late in the day, reported concussion symptoms going into Day 2 to end his match.

“He was pretty unlucky – he kept sliding and next thing you know, he clipped the fence,” Manenti said of the dropped Test opener.

“Weathers has been batting really well, he’s been great to have back around the group. We know what a class player he is and also how hungry he is to try to get back to that Test level.

“For his sake and for our sake, if he’s going well, he’s going to get that opportunity and if he’s doing well we’re seeing him score a lot of runs for us.”

Debutant Harry Hoekstra was a shining light for the Vics, taking 6/103 in the Redbacks’ only innings and top-scoring with 45 on Day 1.