Shield final effectively turns into four-day decider as rain strikes after SA’s wobbly start

The Sheffield Shield final will effectively revert to a four-day match after day one was severely impacted by tempestuous weather.

Victoria sent South Australia into bat at Junction Oval and had the reigning champions at 3-55 at lunch.

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Scott Boland continued his run against former teammate turn South Australian opener Mackenzie Harvey (9), finding the left-handers edge for the third time in as many innings.

Fergus O’Neill soon accelerated Victoria’s strong start by drawing a wild drive out of last week’s top-performer Henry Hunt (5).

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Victoria had a third in the space of six overs when Jason Sangha was dismissed in Will Sutherland’s first over.

Although Sangha — a standout from last year’s final — was officially dismissed LBW, the decision was without clarity.

The right-hander appeared to miss the delivery before it reached wicketkeeper Sam Harper, leaving doubt if it struck him in line with off stump.

Sangha’s wicket sank South Australia to 3-21 in the 13th over and called for a revival from skipper Nathan McSweeney and Test star Alex Carey.

McSweeney (28no) and Carey (11no) added 34 in a difficult period before lunch, seeing off Boland for a second time and the introduction of spinner Todd Murphy.

South Australia managed to stem the early bleeding but remain in dire need of several strong partnerships when play resumes on Friday.

The match will be decided on first-innings bonus points provided at least 270 overs are bowled across the course of the match.

Victoria will be crowned the winner of the Sheffield Shield if fewer than 270 overs are played, due to its higher regular season ranking.

South Australia went in unchanged despite toying with the idea of leg-spinner Lloyd Pope, while Victoria brutally dropped Mitch Perry for the returning O’Neill.

The following four days will now start ahead of schedule at 10am local time to accommodate for the lost overs.

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