Clayton defiance leads slow-moving Bulls

| February 18, 2022

A half-century on debut from Queensland’s Jack Clayton against Victoria highlighted a slow-moving day, one which will not have fans rushing back to Sheffield Shield cricket.

Queensland ticked over at barely two runs an over at the Junction Oval to end day one at 6-221.

Batting at No.4, the 22-year-old Clayton spent over four hours at the crease in compiling an unbeaten 72 off 179 balls.

Victoria’s tight line and length was led by a typically parsimonious showing from Scott Boland ahead of the upcoming tour of Pakistan.

Australia’s newest Test star went wicketless but conceded just 24 runs from his 19 overs.

Former Test paceman James Pattinson (1-47) enjoyed a strong return to Vic colours, but it was the unlikely figure of part-time spinner Matt Short (2-37) who collected the day’s best bowling figures

After winning the toss, the Bulls made a grinding start and barely improved throughout the day.

Opening pair Joe Burns and Bryce Street chewed up 21.2 overs in a 40-run first-wicket stand, before the former was bowled for 22 after shouldering arms to a Mitch Perry (1-29) delivery.

Bryce narrowly outscored his fellow opener in posting 23 but needed 98 deliveries to do so.

Matt Renshaw was a lone bright light and the former Test batter looked stylish in compiling 43 before edging to first slip off the bowling of Short.

Despite the go-slow, there were three sixes struck in the day with Burns, Renshaw and Clayton all clearing the fence.

All of Queensland’s batters reached double figures other than captain Jimmy Peirson who failed to score after falling victim to an extremely tight run out call.

Second-placed Queensland have little margin for error on a hugely congested Shield ladder with Victoria able to leapfrog their opponents with a win.