Victoria produced a thrilling 34-run win over South Australia to climb into third on the Bupa Sheffield Shield table.

WHAT HAPPENED:  The Bushrangers clinched outright victory by 34 runs in a thrilling back-and-forth game at the MCG.

 

Victoria batted first in testing conditions on day one and slumped to 7-118, but a valuable partnership between Andrew McDonald (71) and Peter Siddle (41) pushed their total beyond 200.

 

McDonald then snared 5-21 and Siddle helped himself to 3-43 to roll the Redbacks for 100. The Bushrangers didn't fare much better with the willow, crashing to 9-104, before tail-ender Jon Holland smashed 55 off 39 balls (his maiden half century), as Victoria set the Redbacks 302 for victory.

 

Siddle then delivered a devastating spell of fast bowling to take 6-43 from 24 overs, giving him figures of 9-77 for the match, to power Victoria to a memorable win.

 

THE HERO(es): Peter Siddle and Andrew McDonald

 

Siddle's menacing line and length made life difficult for South Australia's batsman. His ability to dart the ball off the seam and move the ball sharply through the air, as well, validated his standing as a world-class bowler.

 

McDonald's composure in making 71 in trying circumstances set the game up for the Bushrangers, and he capped off his work with the bat with a superb 5-21 with the leather in hand that yielded eight maidens.

 

THE VILLAIN: Victoria's overall batting performance

 

The Bushrangers had a combined total of five ducks across their two innings. Aaron Finch made naught in both his digs, while the team had nine different players register single digits during the game.

 

DEFINING MOMENT: Jon Holland's maiden first class half century

 

Holland was limited in terms of his impact with the ball, although he did take a big wicket in South Australia's second dig, but his contribution with the bat was match defining.

 

Holland carted 55 off 39 balls, including eight boundaries, to almost singlehandedly take the game from the Redbacks. South Australian coach Darren Berry said Holland's innings was, 'the difference in the game'.

 

MILESTONES:

 

Cameron White: most prolific captain in Victorian Sheffield Shield history (57) as he went one better than the legendary Bill Lawry.

 

Jon Holland: Maiden first class half century

 

Peter Siddle: Best first-class match figures (9-77)

 

 

THE UPSHOT: Third Place on the Sheffield Shield ladder

Victoria moves to third on the Shield table, two points adrift of Western Australia who they face next. The Bushrangers sit a further six points behind ladder-leaders Queensland.

 

WHERE TO NOW: Sheffield Shield, Wednesday March 17-21

 

Victoria now faces a must win clash against Western Australia in Perth to keep alive their chances of playing off in the Shield final.

 

WHO SAID WHAT: Peter Siddle, Victorian fast bowler

"We were getting some good reverse [swing] near the end, and there's obviously the worry the new ball can go for a few runs. It was a bit iffy which way to go. We were lucky to get a few wickets with the old one and could take the new one and finish it off, which worked out best for the team."

15 FEBRUARY, 2012