Cricket: Bunbury’s own Sam Whiteman secures massive milestone as VIC-WA Shield game heads towards a draw

Bunbury born-and-raised WA cricket captain Sam Whiteman notched up a massive milestone on day two of their Sheffield Shield clash against Victoria at the MCG on Tuesday.

Whiteman blasted 82 off 142 balls, and in doing so, hit his 4000th Sheffield Shield run for WA.

Late on day three, the Bushrangers — who were sitting pretty at 4-446 — were fast approaching WA’s mammoth first innings score of 466.

Marcus Harris set up Victoria’s innings with 111 off 223 balls and Peter Handscomb joined in with 107 not out off 192 balls.

Handscomb has not featured in the Test team since 2019, while Harris played the last of his 14 Tests in January this year.

Both players are in strong form and desperate to add to their Test careers.

Harris started Wednesday on 67 and he brought up his century with a glorious drive in a ton that featured 14 fours and one six.

It continued a purple patch for the former Test opener, who posted scores of 85 and 42 in Victoria’s draw against South Australia earlier this month.

Harris also dominated with English side Gloucestershire earlier this year.

Handscomb’s century on Wednesday was aided by a fair chunk of luck.

The 31-year-old was on 41 when Cameron Bancroft dropped a tough chance low to the ground at backward square leg.

The Victoria skipper received another life on 58 when Josh Philippe missed a difficult stumping chance.

And next ball Handscomb was gifted another reprieve when Corey Rocchiccioli dropped an easy opportunity at mid-wicket.

Handscomb, the leading Shield run scorer from last season, made the most of the let-offs to post his 19th first-class century.

WA breathed some life into the contest during the middle part of the day by snaring three quick wickets, resulting in Victoria slipping from 1-225 to 4-278.

Bancroft inspired the mini collapse by taking a superb one-handed catch at short mid-wicket to end the innings of Harris.

Aaron Hardie (2-31) claimed his second scalp when Nic Maddinson fell for two and the WA allrounder pulled off a sharp catch to dismiss Matt Short for 17.

Given the free flow of scoring, and with one day remaining, an outright result by either team appeared unlikely.