Sheffield Shield 2025/26: Victoria vs Tasmania, 8th Match
Match Report: Day 2 – October 29, 2025
Current Standings: Victoria 256 & 35 for 1 (Kellaway 15*, Meredith 1-8) lead Tasmania 232 (Doran 73, Perry 5-58) by 59 runs
Melbourne`s Junction Oval, often a stage for intricate cricketing narratives, once again delivered on day two of the Sheffield Shield clash between Victoria and Tasmania. What began as a tight contest quickly pivoted, largely due to the remarkable efforts of Victorian paceman Mitchell Perry, whose five-wicket haul left Tasmania grappling for answers, even as Jake Doran waged a defiant battle. By stumps, Victoria had not only secured a crucial first-innings lead but had also begun to expand it, setting the stage for a compelling third day.
Perry`s Perfect Storm: A Five-Star Performance
The headline act belonged unequivocally to Mitchell Perry. The right-arm quick continued his exceptional start to the season, ripping through Tasmania`s batting lineup to record figures of 5 for 58 – his second-best in first-class cricket. This performance wasn`t just about the numbers; it was about precision, persistent pressure, and an uncanny ability to exploit the challenging conditions of the Junction Oval pitch.
Perry`s consistency has been a hallmark of his young career, and with this latest effort, he now boasts an impressive 13 wickets in just five bowling innings this season. His ability to dismiss key batsmen, including Test hopeful Jake Weatherald on day one, set a formidable tone that his teammates eagerly amplified. It’s the kind of form that makes selectors take notice, proving that domestic cricket remains a robust proving ground for future national stars.
Webster`s Early Exit and Sutherland`s Seam Magic
While Perry dominated, the early afternoon offered a moment of brilliance from another Victorian quick, Will Sutherland. Beau Webster, Tasmania`s seasoned allrounder and a name often associated with resilience, found himself on the wrong end of a truly unplayable delivery. Fresh at the crease in his first Shield innings of the summer, Webster was clean bowled for 11 by a `cracking delivery` from Sutherland – a ball that seamed back through the gate as he attempted to defend on the front foot. It was a classic piece of fast bowling; a testament to the fact that even the most accomplished batsmen can be undone by sheer quality.
This dismissal underscored Victoria`s bowling prowess, following solid early work from Perry, Fergus O`Neill, and Todd Murphy. O`Neill chipped in with two vital wickets, including nightwatcher Gabe Bell and a well-set Tim Ward (42), while spinner Todd Murphy extracted enough turn to snare Caleb Jewell at slip, turning the screws on the Tasmanian innings.
Doran`s Defiance: A Lone Hand Against the Tide
Facing a potential three-figure first-innings deficit at 126 for 7, Tasmania found a beacon of hope in their wicketkeeper-batsman, Jake Doran. Continuing his own excellent start to the season, Doran crafted a fighting 73 runs on a pitch that continued to offer considerable assistance to the bowlers. His innings was a blend of measured defense and calculated aggression, particularly against the Victorian spin of Murphy, whom he audaciously launched over long-on.
Doran’s resilience was amplified by a crucial 60-run eighth-wicket stand with Nikhil Chaudhary, who contributed a valuable 38. This partnership, born out of adversity, significantly reduced the anticipated deficit and kept Tasmania`s hopes flickering. Chaudhary, despite looking comfortable, eventually fell victim to a short-ball trap from Perry, pulling a bouncer with little control to deep square. It was a lapse, perhaps, but one that highlighted Perry`s strategic thinking.
Doran`s eventual dismissal, clean bowled by Perry attempting to go down the ground, not only sealed Perry`s five-wicket haul but also brought an end to a truly gritty innings. His efforts ensured that Tasmania reached a respectable 232, limiting Victoria`s first-innings lead to a manageable 24 runs.
Victoria`s Advantage: Consolidating the Lead
With a slender but vital lead, Victoria`s openers, Harry Dixon and Campbell Kellaway, strode out for the final session of the day. They played positively, intent on widening the gap. Dixon, in particular, looked in fine touch, striking four crisp boundaries, including a couple of exquisite cover drives, en route to 19. However, his innings was cut short by the extra pace of Riley Meredith, who found a bottom edge as Dixon attempted to leave a rising delivery outside off stump.
Despite the late wicket, Victoria concluded the day at 35 for 1, extending their overall lead to 59 runs. This seemingly modest advantage, particularly on a pitch that has offered plenty for the bowlers, feels significantly larger. With nine wickets in hand and the opportunity to bat deep into day three, Victoria is firmly in the driver`s seat. Tasmania, on the other hand, will need early breakthroughs and a monumental effort to halt the Victorians` momentum.
As the sun sets on day two at Junction Oval, the narrative is clear: Victoria, spearheaded by the relentless Mitchell Perry, has seized control. Yet, the stubborn resistance of Jake Doran serves as a potent reminder that in Sheffield Shield cricket, even the most dominant performances can be challenged. Day three promises to be a pivotal chapter in this unfolding cricketing drama, as both teams vie for supremacy in the long format.
