Lloyd Pope Spins South Australia to Thrilling Victory

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 09: Henry Hunt of the Redbacks bats during the Sheffield Shield match between South Australia and Victoria at Karen Rolton Oval, on October 09, 2022, in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)

In a nail-biting finish at Adelaide Oval, South Australia secured their first Sheffield Shield win over Victoria in nine years, with legspinner Lloyd Pope claiming six wickets in a dramatic final session. Pope’s 6 for 74 helped bowl Victoria out for 207 in their pursuit of an improbable 346, sealing the win with just 16 minutes to spare.

The game seemed destined for a draw, with Victoria holding on at 177/6 and only 30 minutes remaining before stumps. But Pope broke through, taking four wickets in just 13 minutes. The match was not without controversy; Victoria’s Campbell Kellaway, who top-scored with 80, was given out at bat-pad in a contentious call, with replays suggesting the ball may have only hit his pad.

Pope, displaying his trademark spin on a deteriorating fourth-day wicket, dismissed Victoria’s final batter, Cameron McClure, lbw to complete a remarkable comeback victory. This win moves South Australia to second on the ladder and marked Pope’s third career five-wicket haul, reviving memories of his breakout performance in the 2017 Under-19 World Cup.

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