Queensland strengthened their push for a second successive Sheffield Shield final with a hard-fought 36-run win over Victoria at the MCG, but the victory came with growing concern over their mounting injury list. Four wickets from Tom Straker and three from Mitchell Swepson proved decisive as Queensland defended 241 on the final morning to move clear into second place on the table.
Victoria began day four needing 92 runs with four wickets in hand, and debutant Dylan Brasher mounted a determined resistance. Brasher survived an early lbw scare and, alongside Fergus O’Neill, added 33 crucial runs for the seventh wicket. However, Queensland seized control before the second new ball when Swepson trapped O’Neill lbw and Sam Elliott miscued a drive to mid-off, leaving Victoria eight down.
The arrival of the new ball brought drama. Todd Murphy struck a towering six, but Michael Neser produced a superb wobble-seam delivery to bowl him. Brasher, running out of support, was eventually dismissed for a valiant 72 when he drove straight to Marnus Labuschagne in the deep, sealing Queensland’s win.
Despite the loss, Victoria remain well placed to host the final and are set to regain key players including Scott Boland and captain Will Sutherland in coming rounds. Queensland, by contrast, face a severe depth test. Injuries have sidelined Tom Whitney, Gurinder Sandhu, Mark Steketee and likely Callum Vidler, while Xavier Bartlett may not return due to international and IPL commitments.
Coach Johan Botha praised the resilience of his side but admitted the challenge ahead. With three rounds remaining, Queensland have momentum — but also little margin for further setbacks.