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Ex-Test player ends 769-day drought with emotional century to complete comeback: Shield Wrap

Ex-Test player ends 769-day drought with emotional century to complete comeback: Shield Wrap

Former Australian player Kurtis Patterson celebrated emotionally after making his first Sheffield Shield century in over two years on Sunday.

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The NSW No. 4 batted beautifully against Western Australia on day three at the SCG and finished on 167 not out with the Blues at 9-463 and holding a lead of 252 runs.

Patterson, who played two Tests against Sri Lanka in 2019, was dropped from the Blues’ Sheffield Shield in October last year after a form slump with the bat, albeit retaining his state contract for the 2024/25 season.

Patterson admitted last month that he deserved to be dropped but the 31-year-old has responded emphatically this season and is now averaging 105.4 this summer.

Rising rookie Sam Konstas missed out on a chance to make another century when he was caught in the slips off WA speedster Lance Morris for 88.

Blake Nikitaras (38), Jack Edwards (30) and Chris Green (35) were the other to get amongst the runs in response to WA’s first innings total of 211.

Brody Couch (3-66) was the pick of the bowlers, while Morris (2-69) and Cameron Gannon(2-99) also chipped in.

AUS vs India Test 2 – Match Highlights | 07:56

QLD BREAK DUCK IN THRILLER

Previously winless Queensland have beaten ladder-leaders Victoria by 23 runs in a thriller at the MCG.

Queensland started day three at 8-195 in their second innings and were bowled out for 223, which set the hosts 273 for victory.

Things got off to a rocky start when Test hopeful Marcus Harris went for a second-ball duck, bowled by Tom Straker in the second over.

But Peter Handscomb (78) steadied the ship as Campbell Kellaway (30), Mitchell Perry (23) and Sam Elliot (30) also contributed to set up a grandstand finish.

Xavier Crone (28) and Toddy Murphy (3*) were the last pair standing and needed 27 runs for victory but they managed just three as the Queenslanders celebrated wildly.

Mitch Swepson (4-88) and Mark Steketee (3-46) got the visitors home for what marked former South African star Johan Botha’s first win as Queensland coach.

Australia bite back in second Test win | 03:35

SA IN BOX SEAT

Tasmania are chasing a huge total for an unlikely victory over South Australia, who declared in both innings in Hobart.

The hosts started day three at 4-96 and were all out for 203 with Nivethan Radhakrishnan (43), Jake Doran (51) and Mitchell Owen (30) the only real contributors.

South Australian bowlers Liam Scott (3-30), Henry Thornton (3-41) and ripped through the attack before the batters went to work.

Openers Conor McInerney (75) and Henry Hunt (31) put on a 117-run opening stand before they were dismissed just five balls apart.

Jason Sangha picked up where he left off from his 151 in the first innings to post 61, while Jake Lehmann (24) was the only other to hit double digits.

Tasmania’s Matthew Kuhnemann (4-67) was the best of the bowlers before South Australia declared at 9-233, setting the hosts 429 for victory.

They chased down 432 in a record win against Queensland last summer, but things got off to a shaky start when Radhakrishnan (4) fell in the first over.

Tasmania were 1-41 and require another 388 runs for victory on the final day.