Cricket

Head out cheaply, Thornton gets Shield career-best

Mar 5, 2026

Test opener Travis Head fell for just five in the shadows of stumps on day one in his return to the Sheffield Shield for South Australia against NSW.

Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content

The Redbacks were 1-20 at the end of Thursday's play at Karen Rolton Oval, having earlier dismissed the visitors for 269.

Head is among several international players returning to the Shield for the penultimate round, following Australia's early exit from the Twenty20 World Cup.

In his second Shield game of the season, he faced just 12 balls and was out edging a Sean Abbott delivery to second slip.

After winning the toss and electing to bowl, South Australian quick Henry Thornton picked up a career-best 5-71 that included the big scalp of Kurtis Patterson (12).

The 29-year-old also produced a gem of a delivery that nipped back and bowled Josh Philippe for 29.

NSW fell to 6-126 but were boosted by some lower-order runs from Joel Davies (47) and Abbott (40), while Charlie Stobo (25) and Liam Hatcher (23) also made important contributions.

South Australia, NSW, Queensland and Tasmania are fighting for the second spot in the Shield final, after runaway leaders Victoria locked up their spot with a win in the previous round.

Heavily scrutinised youngster Sam Konstas got a start at the top of the order for NSW but was out on 37, prodding at a Nathan McAndrew (2-55) delivery.

NSW lost 3-10 after getting to a promising 1-62.

South Australian opener Henry Hunt (three not out) and nightwatchman McAndrew (nine not out) will resume on Friday.