Sheffield Shield at the Gabba: Clayton unbeaten on 99 as Queensland claw back against Victoria

At the Gabba, Jack Clayton walked off unbeaten on 99 as Queensland reached 5-202 in reply to Victoria's 307 at stumps on day two of their Sheffield Shield match. Clayton, who had faced 191 balls and struck eight fours, managed only four runs off the final over of the day, bowled by part-time spinner Ollie Peake, and will resume on the cusp of a century. Hayden Kerr was unbeaten on 14 at the other end. Earlier, Victoria resumed on 9-282 and were bowled out for 307. Mitch Swepson picked up the final wicket, dismissing Matt Hennig for four, while Will Sutherland remained unbeaten on 43. Cameron Gannon finished with 5-66 and Jem Ryan took three wickets. Queensland's reply got off to a poor start when Sutherland, bringing himself into the attack, bowled Hugh Weibgen with his first delivery. Off the last ball of the same over, Hugo Burdon was caught by Marcus Harris at third slip, leaving the hosts in trouble at 2-33. Clayton and opener Angus Lovell steadied the innings with an 85-run stand for the third wicket. Matt Hennig, recalled to the attack, struck with the first ball of his spell to trap Lovell lbw for 36 - his maiden Sheffield Shield wicket. Two overs later, Liam Blackford took a sharp bat-pad catch off Hennig to dismiss Lachlan Hearne for two. When Jimmy Peirson skyed Todd Murphy to Sutherland at mid-wicket, Queensland had slipped to 5-174. Clayton and Kerr saw the side through to stumps, and the Monday morning session will go a long way towards deciding the result. The match remains finely balanced. A century from Clayton and support from the lower order could give Queensland a first-innings lead, while early wickets on day three would hand Victoria the upper hand on a Gabba surface expected to aid spin as the game progresses.