Matt Short holds Victoria together as New South Wales dominate rain-interrupted day

Victoria batsman Matthew Short made a fighting unbeaten 80 on a rain-interrupted day that was dominated by the New South Wales bowlers at Bankstown Oval.

The players endured multiple interruptions as the rain came and went at regular intervals in Sydney with only 61 overs bowled, but Short stood firm to guide Victoria to stumps having entered at 2 for 16.

Harry Conway picked up three wickets for the Blues as the seamers caused problems on a dark and gloomy day. Pat Cummins and Trent Copeland made the early breakthroughs before Conway took the wickets of Marcus Harris, Jake Fraser-McGurk, and Seb Gotch to leave Victoria struggling at 5 for 94.

Conway did benefit from some loose shots. Harris faced 70 balls for 29 before slicing a catch to gully while Fraser-McGurk hit a half-tracker straight to point.

Short remained patient absorbing 164 balls and striking 10 boundaries on a surface that was difficult to score on. He formed a useful partnership with Will Sutherland late in the day to frustrate the Blues and deny them a chance to wrap up the innings prior to the 7pm finish.