Edwards falls devastatingly short of ton as Sutherland fires

A day after Australian women's captain Alyssa Healy was out for 99 in the Perth Test, fellow NSW batter Jack Edwards has fallen on the same dreaded number.

The emerging Blues allrounder was out one run short of his third Sheffield Shield century in the Blues' clash with Victoria at the SCG.

Edwards was dismissed by Test quick Scott Boland after being caught by Victoria wicketkeeper Sam Harper in the final session of day one on Friday.

The 23-year-old's dismissal came less than 24 hours after Healy made 99 and was denied a maiden Test century, equalling the highest score of her husband, Mitchell Starc.

But Edwards' contribution was still vital, helping NSW to 252 after Victoria captain Will Sutherland won the toss and elected to bowl.

Sutherland, who made his international debut in Australia's ODI series against West Indies only two weeks ago, more than played his part with the ball, taking 5-51 for the sixth five-wicket haul of his first-class career.

But Sutherland's heroics were almost overshadowed by Boland passing Paul Reiffel, who played 35 Tests for Australia between 1992 and 1998, as Victoria's greatest Shield wicket-taker.

By finishing with figures of 3-47, Boland went to 321 career scalps, ahead of Reiffel on 318.

It is the 34-year-old's last Shield appearance before he heads to New Zealand for Australia's two-Test series, starting in Wellington on February 29.

Young NSW opener Sam Konstas, fresh off an U19 World Cup win, made a bright start the Blues' innings by making 26.

No.4 Matthew Gilkes was the hosts' second-best contributor behind Edwards, hitting a patient 51.

Victoria will start their first innings on Saturday after stumps was called when the Blues lost their final wicket.

All eyes will be on talented opener Will Pucovski, who is returning to the Victoria side after recovering from his most recent concussion.

VICTORIA'S LEADING SHEFFIELD SHIELD WICKET-TAKERS:

1. Scott Boland - 321

2. Paul Reiffel - 318

3. Alan Connolly - 297

4. Tony Dodemaide - 281

5. Merv Hughes - 267.

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