Victoria Edge Out New South Wales in One-Day Cup Thriller Despite Stobo Heroics
Victoria claimed their first win of the 2025 One-Day Cup season with a dramatic five-run victory over New South Wales at Junction Oval, surviving a late assault from Charlie Stobo in a rain-shortened contest.
Stobo, who had earlier impressed with the ball, nearly turned the game on its head with the bat, smashing 47 off 41 balls, including 19 runs off the penultimate over from Todd Murphy. But with just six needed from the final over and four balls remaining, Sam Elliott removed Stobo, who holed out to mid-off, sealing a nail-biting win for Victoria.
"It was a cracking game in the end," said Elliott, who recently returned from an Australia A tour of India. "I was definitely nervous at the end there. But we've played a lot of cricket together, and that helps in those pressure moments."
The match, reduced to 36 overs per side due to morning rain, saw Victoria post 183 for 8 after being put in to bat. Will Sutherland top-scored with a brisk 46 off 44, while Campbell Kellaway anchored the innings with 43. Stobo starred with the ball for NSW, returning figures of 3 for 32.
NSW appeared well set at 97 for 3 in the 21st over before suffering a dramatic middle-order collapse. Young quick Austin Anlezark picked up two wickets in three deliveries, and Kellaway followed up with his part-time left-arm spin, finishing with 2 for 25 to swing the momentum back to Victoria.
Despite the collapse, Stobo nearly pulled off a rescue act from No. 8, hitting four boundaries and a six in his counter-attacking knock. But with little support from the tail, his dismissal marked the end of NSW’s chase at 178 all out.
NSW captain Jack Edwards lamented another missed opportunity after their earlier Sheffield Shield loss to Victoria at the same venue. "A frustrating week – we were in the game, both games, and we let it slip," he said. "Stobo gave us a real chance again. He’s a very handy cricketer, but we’ve got to be more ruthless."
Victoria's bowling unit, including returning Test pacer Scott Boland, who starred in the Shield game, held their nerve in crunch moments to secure a much-needed win.
Match Summary:
Victoria: 183/8 in 36 overs (Sutherland 46, Kellaway 43, Stobo 3-32)
New South Wales: 178 all out in 35.2 overs (Stobo 47, Kellaway 2-25, Elliott 2-36)
Result: Victoria won by 5 runs
Player of the Match: Campbell Kellaway
NSW now sit at 2-2 in the One-Day Cup standings, while Victoria improve to 1-3. NSW will be boosted by the return of Steve Smith for their next Sheffield Shield clash against Queensland, starting October 28 at the Gabba.