SA remain in charge at MCG v Vic

South Australia took four wickets after lunch on day three to stay in control of their Sheffield Shield cricket match against Victoria at the MCG.

SA captain Johan Botha had his Bushrangers counterpart Matthew Wade caught in the covers for 16 to leave the home side 5-235.

It was the first ball of Botha’s over and tea was taken early, with Glenn Maxwell 39no.

While Victoria erased their first-innings deficit of 225 in the middle session and led by 10, they bled crucial wickets.

Opener Aaron Finch lingered at the crease when he was caught in slips just three short of his second Shield century.

Wade and Maxwell had made a promising stand of 41 from 77 balls before the captain’s dismissal just before the break.

Resuming after lunch on a promising 1-153, they lost 3-41.

Peter Handscomb drove at a wide ball from Botha and was caught at point for 19.

Cameron White’s only scoring shot was a second-ball six off Botha.

In the following over, he was judged lbw from a Gary Putland delivery that may have been going down legside.

Two balls after flashing carelessly outside off stump, Finch was the fourth Victorian wicket.

He went forward and Kane Richardson had him caught by Tom Cooper at first slip for 97.

Finch’s patient knock featured 248 balls, the first time he has faced more than 200 balls in a first-class innings.

Cooper took the catch low and Finch was clearly unhappy with the umpire’s decision, although it looked out.

It was a welcome return to Shield form for the Australian one-day and T20 representative.

Botha had taken 2-35 and Putland had 2-55.

Stay up to date with the latest sports news
Follow our social accounts to get exclusive content and all the latest sporting news!