Boland still absent after Maddinson hits comeback century

Scott Boland is dealing with "wear and tear" in his knee and is yet to bowl in the second innings of Victoria's Sheffield Shield match against South Australia where the home side are well placed after a brilliant century from Nic Maddinson.

Boland left the field on Saturday after being unable to complete his 17th over on day one at the Junction Oval. He was cleared of any major damage after undergoing a precautionary scan, which revealed "acute inflammatory signs around his patella tendon".

"It's really just low-grade wear and tear in his knee," Victoria coach Chris Rogers said on commentary of the Shield match. "It's nothing too serious."

But Boland didn't bowl any of the 20 overs as South Australia went to stumps on day two at 66 for 2, trailing Victoria by 49.

Victoria took a 115-run first-innings lead after former Test batter Maddinson smashed a century in his first Shield match since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in a BBL game on New Year's Day 2023.

Maddinson struggled for form during his return to cricket in the BBL for Melbourne Renegades, but was back to his best in the longer form of the game. The left-hander brought up his 16th first-class century after lunch, pushing Victoria past South Australia's first-innings total of 173.

Maddinson was out for 104, while Sam Harper, who suffered a frightening concussion during the BBL while training with the Melbourne Stars, impressed with 46 in his return match.

Allrounder Liam Scott was the pick of the Redbacks bowlers on a hot day in Melbourne, taking 4 for 18 from 12.3 overs.

Boland has not played for Australia since the third Test of last year's Ashes, but has remained around the squad during the summer. The 2021 Boxing Day Test hero was limited to three Big Bash League games after last playing for Victoria in the Shield in November. He did bat on Sunday, making 5.

"He hasn't bowled that much in games recently...it's a little issue, but he should be fine," Rogers said.