NSW vs VIC | Handscomb and Elliott eclipse Smith’s effort as Victoria coast to huge win in Sheffield Shield

‌Victoria continued their perfect record in the Sheffield Shield this season, thrashing a starry New South Wales side by 300 runs in Sydney on Wednesday. Peter Handscomb and Sam Elliott were the architects of Victoria’s fourth win in four matches, scoring a century and picking up a match haul of eight wickets, respectively. Meanwhile, the home side’s skipper Steve Smith stood tall amid the ruins with two half-centuries in two innings as he prepared for the first Ashes Test against England in Perth from November 21.

After opting to bat at the Sydney Cricket Ground, the visitors put on a formidable 382 on the board in their first essay, courtesy of a patient 104, including 11 boundaries, from Handscomb. He was well-supported by opener Campbell Kellaway and wicketkeeper-batter Sam Harper, who both scored contrasting half-centuries. Meanwhile, Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon, who are also expected to start the first Test, alongside Smith, got some important game time under their belt, picking up four-wicket hauls.

NSW’s batting came a cropper, but for their captain, as they were skittled out for just 128 runs inside 50 overs, conceding a huge lead of 254 runs. Smith was their top run-getter with 10 boundaries during his 57-run knock, while Elliott was the pick among the visitors’ bowlers with an impressive spell of 5/26 in 8.5 overs. Pacer Scott Boland and off-spinner Todd Murphy chipped in with two wickets each.

Former Australian opener Marcus Harris rescued Victoria from a batting collapse, scoring a gritty 58, in their second innings. The visitors declared their essay at 171/9 on the penultimate day, setting the hosts with an improbable target of 426, with Sean Abbott being NSW’s best bowler, picking up 4/18 in nine overs.

But the home side’s batting collapsed yet again, closing out for just 125, in 10 overs less than in their first innings. Smith was the lone man standing with an unbeaten 56, which included five boundaries and a six. Elliott had another good outing with the ball, picking up a three-wicket haul, while Will Sutherland and Fergus O’Neill had two wickets each as the game closed off with a full day to spare.