Victoria survive Stobo heroics to clinch thriller
Sam Elliott had the final say after New South Wales had suffered a middle-order collapse
AAP
20-Oct-2025 • 9 hrs ago
Victoria celebrate clinching a nail-biting victory • Getty Images
Victoria 183 for 8 (Sutherland 46, Kellaway 43, Stobo 3-32) beat New South Wales 178 (Stobo 47) by five runs
Charlie Stobo was nearly the hero for New South Wales, as Victoria held on in the last over for their first one-day win of the season.
Stobo, batting at No. 8, made 47 from 41 balls in a riveting finish, after NSW had collapsed again at Junction Oval in the wake of last week's Sheffield Shield loss.
Stobo's impressive knock, which included 19 off the penultimate over from Todd Murphy, brought them to within five runs of a comeback win, before he holed out to Murphy at mid-off off the bowling of seamer Sam Elliott with four balls left.
"It was a cracking game in the end ... obviously very happy with the result," said Elliott, who is back from an Australia A white-ball tour of India. "Anyone who says they don't get nervous is a liar. I was definitely nervous at the end there.
"Luckily, we've played a lot of cricket together now. Being able to have that clear communication towards the end, that definitely does help."
The game had been shortened to 36 overs per side because of morning rain.
The visitors were well on their way at 97 for 3 in the 21st over. Young quick Austin Anlezark then struck twice in three deliveries and part-time spinner Campbell Kellaway took another wicket in the next over to wrest control from NSW.
Kellaway starred with 2 for 25 from seven overs with his left-arm spin after anchoring the Victorian innings at No. 3 with 43.
Captain Will Sutherland top-scored with 46 from 44 balls after NSW won the toss.
Stobo top scored for NSW with four fours and a six in his rearguard knock after taking 3 for 32 to lead their attack.
Sam Konstas and Kurtis Patterson gave NSW a solid start with their opening stand of 54, before wickets fell steadily.
On Friday, Victorian Test paceman Scott Boland rifled through the NSW tail with five wickets to decide their Sheffield Shield match.
"A frustrating week - we were in the game, both games, and we let it slip," said NSW captain Jack Edwards. He [Stobo] held his nerve, gave us a chance. He showed in the last game as well, what he can do with the bat - he's a very handy cricketer.
"It's a shame he couldn't get over the line there. We need to be more ruthless if we want to be a good side. We let them back in the game, they take the opportunity and run with it."
NSW are 2-2 in the One-Day Cup after Monday's loss, with Victoria 1-3.
NSW will regain Test star Steve Smith for their next Shield game from October 28, against Queensland at the Gabba.