A Mark Steketee inspired Queensland Bulls have headed into the BBL break with a pair of welcome wins under their belt to give them fresh incentive in 2025.
Bulls Breakthrough In Shield
The Bulls added to their One Day win over Tasmania last week with an exciting outright win yesterday over Sheffield Shield leaders Victoria inside three days at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Steketee was a deserved player of the match, with valuable lower order runs in each innings and key wickets as he inspired Queensland to their first win of the season in the Shield competition after they had drawn three games and lost two in the first half of the summer.
Steketee and captain Mtch Swepson stood tall with the ball as Queensland won by 23-runs.
Steketee (53) and Jimmy Peirson (82) laid the platform for the victory with stout batting late on day 2 as they held off the home side's attack.
The Bulls resumed play on day three at 8-195, boasting a lead of 244, and added 28 before being dismissed with Steketee's half century going nicely with his first innings knock of 44no.
Chasing 273 for victory, Victoria were bowled out for 249 late on day three despite the best efforts of Peter Handscomb (78 off 139 balls).
Swepson was the key player on Sunday, snaring 4-88 from 30 overs to ensure Victoria's run chase was hobbled.
Paceman Xavier Bartlett was excellent in the first innings, setting up the victory with his career-best haul of 5-32 to dismiss Victoria for 123 in response to Queensland's first innings of 172
The win lifted Queensland to fourth, but more importantly kept them within sight of the competition leaders when the Shield resumes in February after the BBL.