CW 1902/03 (S11), Game 5: New South Wales vs Victoria

New South Wales 12/14 vs Victoria 10/13
Sydney Cricket Ground
24th, 26th-29th January 1903

Lineups:
New South Wales- RA Duff, VT Trumper, CW Gregory, RN Hickson, MA Noble, ACK Mackenzie, AJY Hopkins, LW Pye, JJ Kelly, WP Howell, A McBeath

Victoria- W Bruce, PA McAlister, H Graham, WW Armstrong, FJ Laver, DF Noonan, D Mailer, M Ellis, TJ Hastings, FB Collins, JV Saunders

First Innings
In the knowledge that they had to win the final two games to have a chance of winning the Shield, Victoria got off on the right foot with an opening partnership of 154. Sadly the rest of the team combined for little more than that score themselves, and would have to rely on the bowlers to keep up the pressure, but New South Wales won't feel too hard done by yet as the pitch remains in the favour of the batsman.

VIC 329
W Bruce 115; PA McAlister 80
LW Pye 5-70

The season was back on again as Victoria were able to prevent New South Wales from reaching the 300-mark with solid bowling to give them the upper hand heading into the second innings.

VIC 329
NSW 281
CW Gregory 70; VT Trumper 61
FJ Laver 3-66; FB Collins 3-76; JV Saunders 3-68

Second Innings
The wheels start to come off a little for Victoria, but they knew that more of the same from their bowlers would see them home. But is the pressure getting too much?

VIC 329 + 244
NSW 281
D Mailer 73
A McBeath 4-67; WP Howell 3-62

It may have been that pressure, or perhaps the New South Wales team is too used to winning the title now, but the home side walk away with their fourth title in as many years, and their sixth in the tournaments history. It wasn't all plain sailing when Victoria had a couple of periods where they were able to take some wickets in quick succession, but New South Wales held on.

VIC 329 + 244
NSW 281 + 293-7
VT Trumper 103; CW Gregory 54
JV Saunders 3-82

New South Wales wins by three wickets and are the 1902/03 Sheffield Shield champions!