Will Pucovski and Marcus Harris shatter records with unbroken 418-run opening stand

When the close of play arrived in the Sheffield Shield, Victoria were 418 without loss. Harris had reached an unbeaten 207, while Pucovski, 22 years of age, was one run short of his double century

Victoria enjoyed a record-breaking day in the Sheffield Shield, with opening batsmen Will Pucovski and Marcus Harris putting together the highest partnership in the state’s history and the fifth-highest ever in the competition.

When the close of play arrived, Victoria – in response to South Australia’s total of 200 – were 418 without loss. Harris had reached an unbeaten 207, while Pucovski, 22 years of age, was one run short of his double century.

Until then, the highest partnership for Victoria had stood at 390 – a stand between Julian Weiner and Jeff Moss in 1981.

The previous best effort by two Victorian openers came 94 years ago, between Bill Woodfull and Bill Ponsford, who put on a stand of 375 against New South Wales on Christmas Eve in 1926.

More recently, Nick Jewell and Brad Hodge shared a third-wicket partnership of 379 in 2007 against Queensland, while Jonathan Moss and David Hussey built an unbroken 309-run stand in 2003.

Pretty good day for these two today...#vicsdoitbetter pic.twitter.com/P5KzdjOF2y

— Victorian Cricket Team (@VicStateCricket) October 31, 2020

For Pucovski and Harris, who has played nine Tests for Australia, further landmarks are within touching distance: Mike Veletta and Geoff Marsh’s all-time first-wicket record from 1989 stands at 431 for Western Australia – only 13 runs away for the Victoria pair.

The Waugh brothers hold the top partnership in Shield history, with their 464-run stand set in 1990 the benchmark.

Wayne Phillips and David Hookes recorded a 462-run effort in 1987 for South Australia, with Chris Rogers and Marcus North three runs behind, having made 459 together for Western Australia against Victoria in 2006.

“That was awesome, so great to watch. They had chemistry from the start,” said Victorian captain Peter Handscomb.

“Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer used to love each other as openers and I think these two will as well. It was a pretty special day. We asked Puc if he was happy to open, he was and we can see why.”