Debutant Dixon fires for Vics against Tasmania

First-class debutant Harry Dixon has blasted three huge sixes on his way to a half-century that helped Victoria to a first-innings lead over Tasmania in their Sheffield Shield clash.

Dixon was the star with the bat on day two in Hobart, belting 66 from 73 deliveries in an impressive knock that included seven fours.

The 19-year-old arrived at the crease with Victoria in some trouble at 4-80, but put on 88 for the fifth wicket with Tom Rogers (33).

Tailender Sam Elliott (30 not out) stepped up to lift Victoria past the hosts' first innings tally as they were bowled out for 258, with a lead of 22 runs.

Right-arm quicks Kieran Elliott (4-55) and Gabe Bell (3-33) were Tasmania's main wicket-takers.

In reply, Tasmania erased the deficit for the loss of just one wicket as they reached 1-43 by stumps, with a lead of 21.

Jake Weatherald (26no) and Tim Ward (13no) will resume at the crease on day three at Bellerive Oval.

Peter Siddle (1-14) struck an early blow for Victoria when he trapped Nivethan Radhakrishnan lbw for one.

It completed a disappointing match with the bat for the inexperienced opener, who was brilliantly run out by Campbell Kellaway for 14 in Tasmania's first innings.

Dixon was the second debutant to post a half-century in the match after fellow teenager Aidan O'Neill top-scored with 53 in Tasmania's first dig.

The match is important to Victoria's chances of reaching next month's Shield final and crucial to Tasmania's chances of keeping their season alive.

Victoria sit second on the table with 28.06 points, just behind leaders South Australia (29.93), while Tasmania (18.65) are last with just one win from six matches.

Sheffield Shield standings 2024-25

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 South Australia Men SA	9	6	1	2	0	0	5.46	8.3	51.76
2 Queensland Bulls QLD	9	3	3	3	0	0	7.5	8.3	36.8
3 NSW Men NSW	9	3	3	3	0	0	6.99	7.4	35.39
4 Western Australia Men WA	9	3	3	3	0	0	5.83	7.6	34.43
5 Victoria Men VIC	9	3	5	1	0	0	5.19	8.3	32.49
6 Tasmanian Tigers Men TAS	9	2	5	2	0	0	6.41	7.2	27.61

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