In-form Short assists Victoria in seizing the lead against New South Wales

Victoria 264 for 6 (Short 81*, Harris 53, Kellaway 51, Hatcher 3-80) is in front of New South Wales 203 (Green 52, Henriques 29, Perry 4-24) by twenty-one runs.

Victoria has a 61-run advantage over New South Wales at the halfway mark of their Sheffield Shield match in Albury, thanks to Matthew Short’s continued fine form.

Victoria batted with increasing confidence at Lavington Sports Stadium to finish the day with 264 for 6 in response to New South Wales’s 203. The day concluded with Short undefeated on 81 and wicketkeeper Sam Harper unbeaten on 4. At the time of his entry, Victoria was 108 for 4 and Short hit nine fours during his 150-ball innings. That was the fifth time in the previous seven innings that Short scored 50 or more at the domestic level.

Short shared a 92-run stand with Campbell Kellaway before Kellaway fell short of helping Victoria surpass New South Wales’ first-innings total.

Ashes optimistic Marcus Harris established a solid foundation at the top of the order with 53, while nightwatchman Mitch Perry put NSW on the back foot to start the day.

Liam Hatcher took the wickets of Perry, Harris, and Will Sutherland to finish with three for eighty. Trent Copeland, a veteran pacer, was relentless over a long, hot day, returning 2 for 48 from 24 overs.

Victoria, who began the match in second place in the standings, is one of four teams hoping to join likely Shield final hosts Western Australia in the season-ending contest. NSW must win in order to prevent the longest winless skid in the history of the state.