'Unbelievable': Cricket fans lose it over 'tense' Sheffield Shield finish
Cricket fans have lauded the insane finish in the Sheffield Shield after New South Wales stumbled to a nervy one-wicket win against Queensland at Karen Rolton Oval.
In a finish that had fans on the edge of their seat, Sean Abbott (18 not out) hit the winning runs when he clipped a ball over mid-on from the bowling of Marnus Labuschagne in the last half hour before tea.
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The Blues had looked in command at 4-137 at lunch chasing 206 but lost five wickets in the second session.
At eight wickets down they had also looked home when Nathan Lyon hit a boundary to tie the scores.
However, when Abbott was on strike he hit the ball to mid-off and called for a quick single.
But Lyon appeared uninterested and was dismissed in extraordinary fashion when he became stranded.
Harry Conway entered the picture but played and missed the next four balls from spinner Mitch Swepson.
It was then left for Abbott to take care of business himself.
Swepson (5-74) became the first Queensland spinner to claim 10 wickets in a Shield match since current Australian selector Trevor Hohns managed the feat more than 40 years ago.
Fans went wild over the ‘unbelievable’ finish and applauded the close game of cricket.
What an incredible finish! #SheffieldShield
— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) November 2, 2020
Wow! @seanabbott77 clubs Marnus for four and @CricketNSWBlues win by a wicket v QLD! #SheffieldShield! pic.twitter.com/fPhDHcvYe7
— Malcolm Conn (@malcolmconn) November 2, 2020
What a Match. What a Win.
Congrats to @CricketNSWBlues Players, Coaches, Support Staff and Team Management. Take a Bow @copes9 (7 Wickets in Match). Excellent All-round performance @seanabbott77. #SheffieldShield— JaayShaan(Shankar) (@JaayShaan) November 2, 2020
NSW win by 1 wicket! Abbott knocks the winning run over mid on the ball after Marnus beats the bat. Great contest with some intriguing tactical decisions #SheffieldShield
— Daniel Brettig (@danbrettig) November 2, 2020
What a game. Unbelievable. Thank you @kayosports and @cricketcomau for airing all #SheffieldShield matches. Been awesome to be able to watch
— Jem Nash (@JemNash95) November 2, 2020
Bloody hell. Tense finish. NSW win by one wicket after Nathan Lyon runs himself out with scores level #SheffieldShield
— Social Kris-tancing (@DesignedToFade) November 2, 2020
The Blues!
What a game of cricket. #SheffieldShield pic.twitter.com/2eH99NERKT— David Moore (@morteinmooie) November 2, 2020
NSW win by one wicket. Now that's a cricket match. #SheffieldShield
— Matt (@Mattys123) November 2, 2020
Victoria score whopping Sheffield Shield total
The match was in sharp contrast to other Sheffield Shield clashes, which involved enormous totals.
Victoria declared on 3/564, to all but end any chance South Australia had of winning.
Western Australia and Tasmania both scored huge totals to all but wrap up a draw.
A belligerent Shaun Marsh provided some last day entertainment the match appears headed for a draw.
At tea on the final day, Tasmania were 2-80 and still needing an improbable 227 more runs to win.
with AAP
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