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.