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Siddle justifies Victoria selection by destroying NSW

Yahoo Sport Australia

Victoria’s Peter Siddle has fired his side into prime position to win the Sheffield Shield final after putting on a “clinic” of fast bowling to destroy New South Wales.

The veteran quick’s place in Victoria’s starting XI had been in some doubt before the final.

However, the 34-year-old more than justified his inclusion with a sensational spell of bowling to leave the Blues in tatters.

Siddle finished as the pick of the Bushrangers bowlers with his 5-28 helping to skittle NSW for just 121 runs in their first innings.

James Pattinson chimed in wonderfully with 3-30 to give the Victorians a handy 168-run first innings lead and like Siddle, stamp his own Ashes credentials.

In front of national selector Trevor Hohns, the pair pushed their Ashes tour claims by taking a combined eight wickets as NSW were all out for 121 in their first innings.

Bad light stopped play early at Junction Oval on Friday, with Victoria reaching 1-48 in their second innings for an overall lead of 216 runs.

Test opener and first innings centurion Marcus Harris was clean bowled by Sean Abbott for 23 late in the day.

But the day belonged to a fired-up Siddle, who starred with the English Dukes ball under overcast skies.

Siddle ripped through NSW with a stunning spell of bowling. Pic: Getty
Siddle ripped through NSW with a stunning spell of bowling. Pic: Getty

NSW lost a staggering 7-33 in the second session, a collapse sparked when Pattinson trapped Jason Sangha in front for 21.

The big quick, who worked up considerable pace, then bowled NSW skipper Peter Nevill (four) with a delivery that jagged back.

Siddle cleaned up the lower order, including the scalps of Steve O’Keefe and Trent Copeland in the same over.

The 34-year-old took his 200th Shield wicket when he had Jack Edwards (20) caught behind to end the innings.

“Everyone knows what ‘Sidds’ can do and it’s great reward for some hard work,” Pattinson told Fox Sports at the tea break.

“He bowled fantastically out there today and we couldn’t ask for a better finish to that first innings.

“We go in with a handy lead so now we’ve just got to knuckle down with the bat and make this lead even bigger.”

Moises Henriques (35) shared a half-century with Sangha after NSW were 3-38 at tea but the innings fell away.

On a day where fifteen wickets fell, Copeland (5-74) cleaned up the Victoria tail after the hosts resumed at 6-266.

Pattinson was unbeaten on a valuable 23 from 96 balls batting at No.7.

Victoria is ahead on first innings bonus points, 1.88 to NSW’s 0.9. They would decide the result in the seemingly unlikely event of a draw.

With AAP