Sheffield Shield: WA’s Joel Curtis standing between Victoria and victory with one day to play

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Sheffield Shield: WA’s Joel Curtis standing between Victoria and victory with one day to play

Western Australia wicketkeeper-batsman Joel Curtis is the last hurdle standing between Victoria and victory in their clash at the Junction Oval.

The reigning champions closed the penultimate day of their third Sheffield Shield clash in a perilous position, leading by just 72 runs with three wickets in hand.

The visitors were left in a ***** after conceding a 206-run first-innings lead to Victoria on day two, before losing desperately out-of-form opener captain Cam Bancroft before stumps.

It left emerging batters Sam Fanning and Jayden Goodwin to pick up the pieces, but both were back in the sheds early on day three after a strong burst from Sam Elliott.

Even the hot form of Hilton Cartwright wasn’t enough to pull WA back into contention.

The all-rounder paired with fellow veteran Ashton Turner to add 97 to the total before the latter fell to Fergus O’Neill caught behind for 41.

Cartwright remained stoic as he and Curtis chipped away at Victoria’s advantage before O’Neill got a length ball to nibble his outside edge on its way to Sam Harper’s greedy gloves for 78 from 166 deliveries.

Curtis showed his rare Premier Cricket form, where he reached triple figures in successive innings, could translate to state cricket.

Camera IconJoel Curtis of Western Australia celebrates reaching 50 runs. Credit: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Batting with the tail, he showed strong decision-making to cash in on bad ****** and protect the lower order.

He saw his side to a lead and ended the day unbeaten on 83 alongside paceman Brody Couch who will resume on the last day with 11 runs.

Meanwhile, Queensland opener Matthew Renshaw graced national selectors with a reminder of what he could do, working his way to an unbeaten century against Tasmania.

The 28-year-old had been the forgotten man in the debate over who should open for Australia in the India series before Nathan McSweeney ultimately got the nod, but his unbeaten 120 for the Bulls has sent a message about his class.

But Renshaw showed renewed purpose on Sunday, cracking his first boundary with a delightful whip through mid-on that set the tone for his innings.

Queensland finished day three on 7-274 and need 37 runs to avoid the follow-on with a day remaining on a placid deck in Brisbane.

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