Swepson’s Career-Best 10-Wicket Haul Powers Queensland to Dominant Shield Victory

Mitchell Swepson delivered a career-best performance to guide Queensland to a comprehensive seven-wicket win over South Australia in their Sheffield Shield clash at the Adelaide Oval.

The 32-year-old legspinner claimed a remarkable 10 wickets across both innings, including a personal-best 6 for 109 in the second innings, as Queensland wrapped up the match on the fourth day.

Chasing 139 for victory, Queensland were briefly tested after losing captain Usman Khawaja for a duck and Marnus Labuschagne for 18, despite the latter’s 159-run masterclass in the first innings. However, a composed unbeaten 72 from Angus Lovell ensured the Bulls cruised to their target with seven wickets in hand.

Swepson was instrumental from the opening day, taking four wickets in the first innings as South Australia collapsed from 133 for 2 to 188 for 7, eventually bowled out for 228. He returned in the second innings to tear through the top order and clean up the tail, finishing with match figures of 10 for 159.

In a clinical bowling effort, Swepson removed South Australia’s key batters Conor McInerney (46), Henry Hunt (36), and Nathan McSweeney (26), before wrapping up the innings with crucial lower-order breakthroughs, including dismissing Wes Agar and Lloyd Pope.

South Australia, who managed 308 in their second innings, were ultimately unable to overcome Queensland’s dominant first-innings total of 398, built on centuries from Labuschagne (159) and young allrounder Jack Hearne (106). Wes Agar was the standout with the ball for the hosts, claiming 5 for 88.

The victory gives Queensland a strong start to their Shield campaign with one win and a draw from their opening two matches.

For Swepson, the performance marks a resurgence in form. Once touted as Australia’s second-choice spinner, his latest 10-wicket haul — his second in first-class cricket after a similar effort in 2020 against New South Wales — could reignite hopes of a return to the national setup.

Score Summary:

Queensland: 398 (Labuschagne 159, Hearne 106, W Agar 5-88) & 139/3 (Lovell 72*)
South Australia: 228 (McInerney 60, Sangha 51, Neser 4-30, Swepson 4-50) & 308 (Sangha 55, Swepson 6-109)

Result: Queensland won by 7 wickets
Player of the Match: Mitchell Swepson (10 wickets, including 6-109 in second innings)