Queensland has secured a gritty 36-run victory over Sheffield Shield leaders Victoria at the MCG, proving their resilience despite a rapidly growing injury list. In a match that swung back and forth, the Bulls’ bowling attack—led by “young gun” Tom Straker and veteran spinner Mitchell Swepson—proved too clinical for a defiant Victorian side.
Bulls Hold Nerve Against Brasher’s Debut Heroics
The final day began with Victoria needing 92 runs with four wickets in hand. Debutant Dylan Brasher, who earned his spot through prolific scoring in the second XI, looked like he might pull off a miracle. Brasher showed immense composure, chipping away at the 242-run target and surviving a massive LBW shout from Michael Neser on his very first ball of the day.
However, the momentum shifted just before the second new ball. Mitchell Swepson broke a 33-run stand by trapping Fergus O’Neill LBW and quickly followed up by dismissing Sam Elliott. Although Todd Murphy provided a brief scare with a towering six, Neser eventually cleaned him up with a stunning “wobble seam” delivery. Brasher’s heart-broken exit on 72—hitting a drive straight to Marnus Labuschagne—sealed the win for Queensland. Victorian coach Chris Rogers praised Brasher’s debut, noting his “calmness and composure” as a sign he belongs at the first-class level.
Selection Headaches and Injury Woes for the Run-In
While the win moves Queensland closer to a second successive final, coach Johan Botha admitted the team is “very much challenged” by a mounting injury crisis. The Bulls are currently without Tom Whitney, Gurinder Sandhu, Mark Steketee, and Callum Vidler for the remainder of the season. With international duties and the IPL likely to pull away stars like Xavier Bartlett, the pressure is squarely on Michael Neser and the younger brigade to carry the load through the final three rounds.
On the other side, Victoria faces a “good” problem. Despite the loss, they remain favorites to host the final and are set to welcome back a wealth of talent. Scott Boland and captain Will Sutherland are expected to return for the next clash against Western Australia. With Ollie Peake returning from the U19 World Cup and Tom Rogers recovering from a finger injury, Chris Rogers admitted that some very talented players are going to face the disappointment of missing out on selection.
Match Summary: > Queensland 149 & 236 (Burdon 43, O’Neill 3-36) Victoria 144 & 205 (Brasher 72, Straker 4-32) Queensland won by 36 runs.
