With a three-wicket victory over South Australia at
Junction Oval, Victoria surged to the top of the One-Day Cup standings, sending
Jake Fraser-McGurk packing early.
On Thursday, Victoria was chasing 232 for victory.
Thanks to strong innings from Tom Rogers (67), Nic Maddinson (54), and Marcus
Harris (43), Victoria completed the goal with 35 balls remaining.
Victoria’s victory pushed them to the top of the table
going into the season’s last round, but they lost the opportunity to score what
might have been a huge bonus by going 5 for 41 in the chase before crossing the
finish line.
In their last game, Victoria plays NSW, who is in
second place, with the goal of both teams securing a position in the decider on
February 25. The only other team that has a chance to make it to the final is
the defending champions Western Australia, who sit four points behind Victoria
and one point behind NSW.
After six games, five losses, and no wins, South
Australia is still at the bottom.
Their troubles were exacerbated by Henry Hunt, the
opener, who appeared to have fractured his nose after mishandling a catch while
fielding at mid-off.
When Hunt attempted to grab a hard shot from Rogers in
mid-off, blood was pouring out of his nose. The ball got through Hunt’s hands
as he was sliding to the ground, giving him a flushed nose, and blood spurted
out of it instantly.
Hunt’s teammates hurried to his aid, and Rogers
expressed his concern as well. Hunt left the pitch after getting some treatment
there, covering his nose with a towel to keep the blood contained, and
proceeded to the hospital for scans.
After being put in to bat, South Australia rallied
from 132 for 7 to a respectable 231 for 9. Hunt tried a hook, but Peter Siddle
got the opening wicket of the day when Hunt edged through to the keeper.