THE breakthrough 2019/20 cricket season for Ulladulla United's Matthew Gilkes has continued, as he made his Marsh Sheffield Shield debut with the NSW Blues on Friday.
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At the Adelaide Oval, hosts South Australia won the toss and elected to bowl, sending the Blues and Gilkes, who has already made his Marsh One-Day Cup debut this summer, to the crease.
Unfortunately, Gilkes, who became the 752nd player to wear the baggy blue cap, was dismissed for a duck - after facing 21 deliveries.
Fellow debutant Daniel Solway had no such trouble with the willow, going to to post 133 not out, as the Blues reached 289 in their first innings.
Peter Nevill (53), Nathan Lyon (31) and Moises Henriques (30) also made starts for the visitors, as Chadd Sayers ripped through the Blues' line-up, taking 8/64 from his 27.3 overs.
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In reply, South Australia reached 7/222 at stumps on day two.
Travis Head (109) helped his chances of a potential recall to the Test team, as Tom Cooper posted 37.
Harry Conway (2/43) and Trent Copeland (2/62) are the only multiple wicket-takers for the visitors thus far.
When play resumes on day three (Sunday), the hosts need another 68 runs to claim first innings points, with Sayers (nine not out) and Nick Winter (four not out) at the crease.