Queensland paceman Gurinder Sandhu and Xavier Bartlett ripped through Sheffield Shield competition leaders Victoria in a dramatic seven-wicket win
Queensland pacemen Xavier Bartlett and Gurinder Sandhu starred with bat and ball to secure a seven-wicket win over previously undefeated Victoria.
Bartlett struck a bold and brisk 72 off 91 deliveries, his highest first-class score, before bowling with venom and control to claim 4-35 on day three of the day-night pink-ball clash at the Gabba.
Player of the match Sandhu, who had made 33 in a 69-run eighth wicket stand with Bartlett, bowled a magnificent spell highlighted by three wickets in one over where he removed the dangerous Matt Short (54) and then Fergus O’Neill and Will Sutherland for ducks.
The tall right-arm seamer got the ball to talk under lights and his 5-23 was just reward for what was a lethal exhibition of pace in the top of the table Sheffield Shield showdown.
Queensland resumed day three on 7-352 before a fierce storm took the players off. They were all out for 430, a first innings lead of 112, before ripping through the Victorians for just 143.
Victoria were 4-114 before Bartlett and Sandhu ignited a collapse with the last six wickets falling for just 29 runs.
The drama wasn’t over as the Bulls lost three quick wickets before reaching 3-32 to secure victory after the umpires extended play beyond 10.30pm (AEST). That was after an hour had already been added for the rain delay.
The match finished at 10.46pm, the latest Queensland officials could remember in the past 20 years.
Bartlett was full of appreciation for Sandhu after the win.
“He’s obviously a seasoned campaigner and knows how to keep his cool. That was probably one thing that sticks out when we were batting and bowling together,” Bartlett told AAP.
“It was an amazing spell from him, the triple-wicket maiden was unbelievable.
“I love bowling with him. He always keeps the scoreboard down and creates pressure and that makes my job at the other end easier.
“I love my batting too and try and add wherever I can in all facets of the game, so I want to keep improving that.”
Burgeoning allrounder Bartlett, fresh from scoring 50 against Western Australia, struck seven boundaries and one towering six over midwicket in an innings that justified his No.7 position in the batting order.
He made 57 in the corresponding day-night match against Victoria last season, displaying the batting acumen that he has fine-tuned in club cricket for Gold Coast Dolphins, where he has scored centuries.
It was with the ball that Bartlett fired up after he was the last man out.
He dismissed Campbell Kellaway (0) with a leg-side strangle before a cracking late swinging delivery trapped Peter Handscomb (five) in front.
His opening spell of 2-10 off seven overs, with four maidens, showcased the high quality seam that has made him one of Australia’s standout performers in ODI and T20 internationals.
Victoria slumped to 3-11 in the twilight zone when batting was at its most difficult.
Marcus Harris summed up how difficult batting was when he went to the short break on two from 47 deliveries. He was given a working over by Sandhu, who eventually dismissed him for a torturous 14.
Sheffield Shield 2025-26 standings
Team
Matches played
M
Wins
W
Losses
L
Drawn
D
No results
N/R
Deductions
Ded.
Batting Bonus
Bat
Bowling Bonus
Bowl
Total points
PTS
1
VIC
5
4
1
0
0
0
5.32
4.3
33.62
2
QLD
5
2
1
2
0
0
8.18
3.8
25.98
3
WA
4
1
2
1
0
0
1.61
3.7
12.31
4
NSW
4
1
2
1
0
0
1.55
3.7
12.25
5
SA
4
1
2
1
0
0
1.3
3.6
11.9
6
TAS
4
1
2
1
0
2
1.72
3.2
9.92
Legend
M: Matches played
W: Wins
L: Losses
D: Drawn
N/R: No results
Ded.: Deductions
Bat: Batting Bonus
Bowl: Bowling Bonus
PTS: Total points
