Sutherland's counter-punch sets up Vics' final day push

Queensland have taken two crucial late wickets to set up an absorbing final day in their Marsh Sheffield Shield match against Victoria at the MCG.

The home side are 6-156 in their second innings, an overall lead of 237, with Sam Harper (eight) and Fergus O'Neill (one) the new batters at the crease.

Victoria looked like they were taking firm control after tea on a seesawing third day, with captain Will Sutherland and Campell Kellaway posting a crucial 90-run stand for the fifth wicket.

But Mitchell Swepson bowled Kellaway for 30 and eight balls later Liam Guthrie had Sutherland caught behind for 66 in a massive double breakthrough.

Sunday's morning session will be telling, with Victoria needing a solid rearguard contribution from their lower order.

It will then be a question of how well the Queensland top order weather the new ball in their run chase.

Queensland's James Bazley is out of action because of a hamstring problem and Guthrie has stood up superbly, taking 4-38 from 10 overs.

"To keep them to lead of 230, it's good for us," Guthrie said.

"To have them six down at stumps is a good effort."

Earlier, the visitors resumed on 5-106 and made a bright start in response to Victoria's 7(dec)-300.

Jimmy Peirson and Jack Wildermuth put on 55 for the sixth wicket before Fergus O'Neill made the breakthrough, having Peirson caught behind for 28.

Wildermuth fell nine runs later, caught behind off Mitchell Perry and top-scoring with 40.

Gurinder Sandhu made an unbeaten 25 and Swepson contributed 16 at No.11 as Queensland restricted Victoria's first-innings advantage.

Scott Boland took 4-47, with Perry (3-49) and O'Neill (2-33) also claiming multiple wickets.

Guthrie then snared three wickets to leave Victoria 4-48 and Queensland looking like they were taking control.

Sutherland played an outstanding captain's knock, hitting nine fours and two sixes off 77 deliveries.

Kellaway's 70-ball innings featured two fours and a six, but he was dismissed going for a big hit off Swepson.

"I haven't really got any runs this season, so it was a really good scenario that suits my game - I could be really positive and aggressive," Sutherland said.

"It's definitely turned into a bit of a new-ball wicket ... we're going to need to be really positive tomorrow morning."

Sheffield Shield 2023-24 standings

Team	Matches played M	Wins W	Losses L	Drawn D	No results N/R	Deductions Ded.	Batting Bonus Bat	Bowling Bonus Bowl	Total points PTS
1 Western Australia Men WA	10	5	2	3	0	0	5.53	9.4	47.93
2 Tasmanian Tigers Men TAS	10	5	2	3	0	0	6.06	8.3	47.36
3 NSW Men NSW	10	4	3	3	0	0	6.31	9	42.31
4 Victoria Men VIC	10	4	4	2	0	0	4.74	8.2	38.94
5 South Australia Men SA	10	3	6	1	0	0	5.19	9.3	33.49
6 Queensland Bulls QLD	10	2	6	2	0	0	3.54	8.3	25.84

Legend

M: Matches played

W: Wins

L: Losses

D: Drawn

N/R: No results

Ded.: Deductions

Bat: Batting Bonus

Bowl: Bowling Bonus

PTS: Total points