'Phenomenal' O'Neill leads Vics to brink of victory over SA

Up-and-coming paceman Fergus O'Neill has snared 5-47 to put Victoria in the box seat for victory in their Marsh Sheffield Shield clash with South Australia.

The Redbacks were bowled out for 271 in their second innings at Junction Oval on Monday, setting the hosts a victory target of 157.

Victoria went to stumps on day three at 2-49, with the home side needing another 108 runs to secure the win.

Nic Maddinson, who scored 104 in Victoria's first-innings total of 288, is unbeaten on 21, while Xavier Crone (yet to score) also made it to stumps.

Victorian opener Marcus Harris only made four before being bowled by Nathan McAndrew (2-18).

Nightwatchman Todd Murphy (18) was then trapped lbw by McAndrew in the final over of the day.

"It's pretty phenomenal. He's just gone from strength to strength," Murphy said of O'Neill.

"He had a hell of a first half of the year, and to pick up where he left off in this match is awesome.

"We're in quite a strong position. Hopefully we've taken the sting out of the new ball there."

The opening session on Monday was washed out by rain.

When play resumed after lunch with South Australia 2-66 in their second innings, Victorian paceman Scott Boland was able to take his place on the field after passing a fitness test on his sore knee.

O'Neill dismissed Jake Carder late on day two, then claimed another four wickets on Monday to put the brakes on South Australia's second innings.

The 23-year-old snared the key scalps of Henry Hunt (54), McAndrew (43) and Harry Nielsen (67), before finishing off his fine haul with the wicket of  Ben Manenti (19).

Spinner Murphy snared 3-54 and Boland chipped in with 2-35 from 16 overs in a strong bowling display from Victoria.

McAndrew received a life on 34 when Crone dropped a tough caught-and-bowled chance.

Hunt was bowled a short time later when O'Neill got one to jag back sharply.

Every time the Redbacks steadied the ship, O'Neill was on hand to snare a vital wicket, and Victoria will fancy their chances of winning on Tuesday, despite the tricky nature of the pitch.

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