How the Test stars and hopefuls performed in the second round of Sheffield Shield fixtures

The second round of games of the 2024-25 Sheffield Shield season is complete.

Victoria took care of NSW by 141 runs at the MCG, South Australia upset Queensland by 129 runs at Allan Border Field and WA beat Tasmania by six wickets at the WACA.

Check out the performances of some key Test players and hopefuls below.

Victoria 272 & 246 def New South Wales 136 & 241

Marcus Harris (VIC)

26 & 16

On a hard pitch to bat on, Harris got starts but was caught down the leg-side twice to the bowling of Mitchell Starc. Not ideal after a great start to the campaign.

Scott Boland (VIC)

1/48 & 2/56

Bowled brilliantly with the new ball in both innings but didn’t take a heap of wickets. Still looms as a potential MCG Test specialist.

Steve Smith (NSW)

3 & 0

Was in early in both innings. Caught down the leg-side in the first dig before being trapped in front LBW while leaving a Boland delivery in the second. Will want to forget about this one quickly.

Sam Konstas (NSW)

2 & 43

Was the talk of the cricket world after his twin tons against South Australia, but didn’t have it as easy at the MCG. May have been unlucky in the first innings out LBW to Poland but improved in the second anyway, facing 97 balls on a hard deck when his teammates fell around him. Impressive but probably not the statement performance to force the hands of selectors.

Mitchell Starc (NSW) 

1/35 & 6/81

Looks at the top of his game and is clearly a level above domestic cricket with his sheer pace. Lock him in for the summer.

Nathan Lyon

1/61 & 1/78

Not his best return but won’t be phased by the performance.

Queensland 308 & 209 def by South Australia 314 & 9/352d

Usman Khawaja (QLD)

0 & 39

Looked to be batting well in the second innings before being caught behind. No chance he will lose his spot in the Test side, though.

Marnus Labuschagne (QLD)

22 & 10

Just doesn’t seem in top form with his batting at the moment. Still locked in to bat at No. 3 in the Test side though.

Also bowled 27 overs across the match, taking one wicket.

Michael Neser (QLD)

3/61 & 1/66. 37 & 4

Enjoyed a decent game with the ball, particularly in the first innings.

Probably didn’t have the game with the willow that says he can bat at number seven in the Test order, though.

Nathan McSweeney (SA)

37 & 72

The Australia A captain is in some brilliant form and is pushing his case to come into the Test team.

If he was an opener, you’d almost call him a lock to take Cameron Green’s spot. Is there a chance he comes in anyway to bat at number four with a reshuffle around him? At the very least giving the selectors something to think about.

Alex Carey (SA)

42 & 123 not out

In ripping form with scores of 90, 111, 42 and 123* this Sheffield Shield season so far.

With him and Josh Inglis both batting so well, is there room for two keepers in the Test side?

Also took a whopping nine catches including seven in the last innings.

Western Australia 332 & 4/83 def Tasmania 277 & 137

Cameron Bancroft (WA)

8 & 2

Missed a golden opportunity to put pressure on selectors. Caught behind in the first innings before skying a bouncer to fine leg in the second.

Mitch Marsh (WA)

9 & 6

Didn’t get going in either inning. Holed out to deep mid-wicket in the first and edged to gully in the second.

Also didn’t bowl.

Aaron Hardie (WA)

12 & 6. 0/32 & 1/12

Bowled fairly well but couldn’t stake his case with the bat coming in at number five for his state.

Josh Inglis (WA)

101 & 26 not out

Batting brilliantly to start the season. Has now made 297 runs at an average of 99 across two games. Also took six catches against Tassie.

Won’t take the gloves off Alex Carey in the Test team, but is pushing his case as a genuine batting option.

Beau Webster (TAS)

3 & 35. 2/74 & 0/28

Couldn’t back up his big game one performance to put more pressure on selectors.