Kellaway and Harris Hundreds Put Victoria on Top as Tasmania Face Uphill Chase
Centuries from Campbell Kellaway and Marcus Harris placed Victoria in command against Tasmania on day three of their Sheffield Shield clash at Junction Oval, before Jake Weatherald’s faint Ashes hopes took another blow late in the day.
At stumps, Tasmania were 28 for 1, still needing 327 runs for victory after being set 355 by Victoria, who declared at 330 for 5 in their second innings.
For the second time in the match, Tasmania’s openers faced a tricky mini-session before stumps — and for the second time, Weatherald was dismissed. The left-hander, fighting for a place in Australia’s Ashes squad, lasted just 16 balls before falling for 12, edging a superb delivery from Fergus O’Neill that seamed away late. Will Sutherland held the low catch at first slip.
It was a tough end to a difficult match for Weatherald, who managed just 0 and 12 despite a strong start to the Shield season, which included three half-centuries in his first four innings. His dismissal capped another dominant day for Victoria, led by a 195-run stand between Kellaway and Harris.
Kellaway Continues Rapid Rise
Kellaway, 22, continued his impressive rise with a composed 147, his third first-class hundred and second as an opener this year. Since moving to the top of the order 11 months ago, he has averaged 46.11, bettered among openers only by Usman Khawaja over the same period.
“I think my game is well set up against the new ball,” Kellaway said after play. “I like batting for long periods and anchoring the innings for the side.”
His 268-ball innings featured 16 fours and two sixes, showcasing a blend of discipline and timing.
Harris Finds Form in New Role
Marcus Harris, batting at No. 6 due to back tightness, provided valuable support with an unbeaten 100, his 33rd first-class ton and eighth at the Junction Oval.
“It’s probably just got a bit worse in the last week — wear and tear and a bit of old age,” Harris joked. “I think it’s ‘dad back’ from hanging on to the kids too much.”
The pair came together at a precarious 91 for 4, after Tasmania’s bowlers threatened to turn the match around in the morning session. Riley Meredith (3 for 87) and Brad Hope bowled with fire, dismissing Peter Handscomb and Ollie Peake cheaply, but Kellaway and Harris steadied the innings with patience and precision.
Harris praised his younger teammate after the day’s play.
“He batted brilliantly today — tricky period last night, and then started beautifully this morning. He’s got a good all-round game and works really hard.”
Tasmania Face Steep Target
After Victoria’s declaration, O’Neill and Mitchell Perry made life difficult for Tasmania’s top order under fading light. Weatherald’s dismissal left Tim Ward and Caleb Jewell to see out the remaining overs, surviving a testing spell that saw O’Neill beat the bat repeatedly and even hit the stumps on one delivery ruled dead after Ward pulled away.
With 327 still required on the final day and nine wickets in hand, Tasmania face a daunting task to chase down the target against a confident Victorian attack.