Cummins and Cowan set up New South Wales win

New South Wales cruised to an eight-wicket win on the fourth day of their Sheffield Shield clash against South Australia at the SCG, where they were set a modest target of 100 for victory. The Blues reached their goal with only two wickets down, with Ed Cowan striking a brisk unbeaten 48 to add to his 125 from the first innings, while Kurtis Patterson finished on 33 not out.

The chase had started badly for the Blues when Daniel Hughes was bowled by Daniel Worrall from the first ball of the innings, but the Redbacks managed only one further wicket when Nic Maddinson fell for 18 off the bowling of Adam Zampa. South Australia needed more runs on the final morning to set a tougher target, but having resumed on 5 for 228 lost their last five wickets for 82.

The key moment was when Tom Cooper, the last of the specialist batsmen, fell in unusual circumstances when he was stumped off the bowling of Trent Copeland. Batting out of his crease, Cooper shouldered arms to a delivery which was pouched by Peter Nevill, standing back; Nevill then threw the ball at the stumps from a distance and Cooper dropped his bat while casually walking back towards his ground.

Copeland picked up two wickets on the fourth day, while Pat Cummins also claimed two to finish with innings figures of 4 for 47 and a match analysis of 8 for 104 in his first Sheffield Shield game for nearly six years. English legspinner Mason Crane, playing for New South Wales for the first time, collected 3 for 66 in the second innings to end up with match figures of 5 for 116.