Short and Perry conspire to crush New South Wales

Matthew Short's second consecutive Sheffield Shield century and eight wickets from Mitchell Perry has helped Victoria trounce New South Wales by ten wickets inside three days in Trent Copeland's likely farewell from first-class cricket in Albury.

Short added 23 to his overnight score of 81 to post his second century in as many outings, having not scored one in his previous 64 Shield innings, to help Victoria post a sizeable first-innings lead of 128.

Perry then continued his stellar form with the ball picking up 4 for 30 as New South Wales folded for 130 in their second innings. Perry finished with eight wickets for the match and has taken 19 Shield scalps in his last three matches. Short chimed in with two wickets to complete a wonderful allround performance while stand-in captain Will Sutherland also picked up two.

Copeland was given a guard of honour as he left the field in what could be his final appearance for NSW. He finished with 3 for 63 from 30 overs. If it is his final appearance, he will finish with 344 Shield scalps, equal 11th all-time and the third most for NSW. He has taken 410 first-class wickets overall, including six Test wickets in three Tests, with 21 five-wicket hauls.

Short proved an obstacle for Copeland and his fellow NSW bowlers on the third morning as he cruised to his century. Having lost Sam Harper, he got great support from Fergus O'Neill who made 24 not out. Short fell to Chris Green, caught at short leg for 104, but Victoria added 67 valuable runs to their overnight total for the final four wickets to lift the lead beyond three figures.

NSW's second innings started disastrously as they slumped to 16 for 3, losing all three in just two overs as Perry and Cameron McClure did the damage with seam movement and some extra bounce. NSW lost wickets at regular intervals after that, with Sutherland and Perry tearing through the middle order before Short was on a hat-trick to give Victoria a chance at an innings victory.

Green managed to single-handedly avoid that, making 39 not out to ensure Victoria batted again but they had no trouble knocking off three runs needed. NSW opener Daniel Hughes did not bat in the second innings after retiring hurt with a calf injury in the first innings on day one.

Victoria remain third on the Shield table and still have a chance of playing in back-to-back finals but they head to Western Australia to face the ladder leaders in the final round. NSW remain winless with one game to go against South Australia.