Victoria 311 for 2 (Kellaway 117*, Handscomb 91*, Dixon 57) beat New South Wales 310 (Shaw 80, Gilkes 72, Green 57, Murphy 3-46, Siddle 3-54)
In reply to NSW’s 310 in Sunday’s clash at Cricket Central in Sydney, Victoria reached the victory target with a whopping 74 balls to spare. Kellaway (117 not out off 101 balls) and Handscomb (91 not out off 52 balls) led the way, combining for an unbeaten 145-run stand on the way to the bonus-point win.
Victoria will meet South Australia in the March 1 final, with the ladder-leading Redbacks earning hosting rights.
Victoria started the last round of the season in fourth spot on the ladder. But third-placed Queensland’s shock loss to last-placed WA opened the door for Victoria to leapfrog NSW, who started the round in second.
Handscomb received a life on 8 when wicketkeeper Josh Philippe grassed a tough one-handed diving attempt. He was still on 8 when he survived a tight lbw shout. Handscomb made the most of the reprieves to produce a vital knock, cracking 12 fours and two sixes in a raw display of power and finesse.
Kellaway was equally impressive, with his 13 fours and three sixes lifting him to a maiden List A century.
It marked a disappointing end to the season for NSW, who entered their last match of the regular season in second spot but knowing a loss would cost them a berth in the final.
Handscomb’s dropped catch was an important turning point, with Shaw and Green taking control of the innings from that point.
But Victoria made light work of the big chase, going at more than eight runs an over to not only snare the win, but also the bonus point.
