Patient under-17s compile competitive total

A couple of steady partnerships were pivotal in allowing Victoria to almost bat through the entire day (95.4 out of the 96 allocated overs).

Although the runs didn’t come quickly, the time at the crease would naturally lead to a respectable total.

After losing Zachary Elliott (7) early, Victorian skipper Will Pucovski (27) joined Nicholas King (32) in the middle and the pair put on a strong 53-run partnership.

Pucovski’s wicket sparked a mini-collapse however, with Blake Thomson (0) surviving just two balls and King being dismissed two runs later.

Matthew Underwood (5) dug in for 47 minutes, but after he became the side’s fifth run out victim in two innings, the Vics were in trouble at 5-86.

This brought the in-form Ryan Hartley to crease to join Damon Egan.

The pair set out on recovering the innings and ultimately set the platform for the team to bat out the day by putting on 57 for the sixth wicket.

Hartley was bowled by Queensland quick Zach Addison for 34 before Josh Hudson came and went with out scoring.

When Egan fell for 33 the score was 8-159 and the job was left to the tail to get Victoria through the day.

Blake Parsons (7*) was resilient in surviving 51 balls to see out the innings while Jonah Koch (9 off 27) stayed in long enough make it to the final over of the day.

Early and consistent Queensland wickets will be the key to defending a vulnerable total of 174 today as the Vics look for their first win of the championships.