Finch ends six-year Sheffield Shield ton drought

Victoria 6 for 263 (Finch 102, Harper 55*) trail South Australia 405 (Head 130, Cooper 97, Weatherald 88, Tremain 4-91, Boland 3-98) by 142 runs
Scorecard

Aaron Finch scored his first Sheffield Shield century for six and a half years as Victoria moved to 6 for 263 on the second day against South Australia at the MCG. At the close of play, teenage wicketkeeper Sam Harper was at the crease on 55 and John Hastings was on 5, and the Bushrangers still trailed by 142 after the Redbacks were earlier bowled out for 405.

The day began with South Australia on 5 for 360 and they lost their final five wickets for just 45 as Chris Tremain, wickteless on the first day, ran through the lower order to finish with 4 for 91. Tom Cooper began the morning on 93 but added only four to his score before he was caught behind off Tremain for 97.

In reply, Victoria lost two early wickets to Test discard Joe Mennie, before Glenn Maxwell edged Chadd Sayers to slip on 3. Opener Travis Dean was lbw to Adam Zampa for 46 and Cameron White was bowled by Kane Richardson for 18, before Finch and Harper combined for a 119-run partnership that steadied the innings.

It was a notable hundred for Finch, who remarkably had only ever scored one previous Sheffield Shield century. That came back in March 2010, and this was his 35th Shield game since that time. Although it was just Finch's second Shield ton it was his sixth in first-class cricket, others having come in county games, tour matches or for Australia A. He was caught behind off Richardson for 102.