Something is happening on the Western front of state cricket. While rain and stoic innings by David Hussey and Matthew Wade denied them Sheffield Shield glory this year, Western Australia are shaping as a dominant force for the next decade.
Despite season-ending injuries to star quicks Jason Behrendorff and Joel Paris, the Warriors still managed to make the Shield final, thanks to their impressive bowling depth and outstanding batting line-up.
While title campaigns for the next two to three years will be led by veterans Adam Voges and Michael Klinger, Western Australia youth stocks are the truly daunting element of the squad.
Aforementioned quicks Paris and Behrendorff are young tearaway lefties, and will provide Mitchell Starc and company with plenty of assistance in the future national setup.
Nathan Coulter-Nile continues to provide an attacking option with ball and bat, and may become a mainstay in the Australian side in coming years. Andrew Tye was terrifying at times in the Scorchers’ latest Big Bash League, while giant quick Simon Mackin highlights the depth in the Warriors’ squad, performing well in the recent Shield final.
Meanwhile, the all-rounder Ashtons (Agar and Turner) continue to impress, with Agar a strong chance to make the Ashes squad this winter. His continued improvement with the ball and valuable contributions with the bat make him a great addition to any side.
At the top of the order, young openers Marcus Harris amd Cameron Bancroft were outstanding this season, while young keeper Sam Whiteman continued to shine in his second Shield campaign.
Perhaps the only thing standing between the Warriors and years of dominance is recognition from the national selectors. Whiteman, Behrendorff and Agar must be on the radar for higher honours, while Harris, Bancroft and Paris will force their way into the conversation with continued strong performances.
Voges and the Marsh brothers may be regular absentees next season thanks to national duty, testing the Warriors’ depth in a way New South Wales have long become accustomed to. How they respond to this challenge will go a long way to determining their future trophy count.
On the Twenty20 front, the Scorchers continue to be the premier BBL franchise, with sellout home crowds roaring their approval all season long. With back-to-back titles, and another Champions League campaign later this year, the Warriors have built a highly impressive and daunting juggernaut.
With coach Justin Langer instilling a disciplined, winning culture in a highly talented playing group, there is a lot to like in Perth.
The Scorchers have dominated the Big Bash League in its short history, while the Warriors were Matador Cup champions and Shield runners up this summer. With a great mix of youth and veteran experience, a Western dynasty is on the cards.
Don Freo
Guest
Just as well every selector and every critic knows the game better than you do. Having a go at Justin Langer as a poor coach now? Gee you're switched on.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Also when Langer was the national batting coach the entire team bar Clarke and Hussey were abysmal outside off stump.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
It's about 50% of his international dismissals this summer champ, don't care at all about his state level dismissals because honestly the quality of player is just not close.
Don Freo
Guest
How many innings do you think he has played? What were his scores at those times? Are they the only dismissals you could find? Seems like a miniscule proportion. Certainly the last WC dismissal was not a weakness outside the off stump he played outside it. A strength of his batting this season has been his power and soundness outside off stump. This is because he is that rare breed of batsman who can play on both back or front foot. Way off the mark there Alex. I'll stick with the analyses of Kim Hughes, Justin Langer and Michael DiVenuto.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Four times this summer at least he has got out either not playing one he needed to, chopping on, or pushing at one he should've left 1. Boult to Marsh (World Cup pool match) 2. Sharma to Marsh (2nd Test) 3. Philander to Marsh (1st ODI of the SA series) 4. Aaron to Marsh (1st Test)
Don Freo
Guest
You must have the wrong cricketer. You'd be battling to find a dismissal around off stump for Mitch.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Because Mitch has a horrible deficiency outside off stump and both are monumentally injury prone.
bells
Guest
Let's hope that Justin Langer is asked to lend a hand to do the same at West Cast Eagles.
Daniel Gray
Roar Guru
Agreed, Jason. WA culture appears to have improved dramatically over the past two years.
Jason Emms
Roar Rookie
Justin Langer deserves a lot of credit for turning the ship around. A good culture and work ethic can really produce results. The state on the other side of the Nullarbor could learn a lot from this.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
They've had an excellent couple of years. It's completely turned around since they were basketcases for so long. North dropping the captaincy was a real boon for them.
Don Freo
Guest
Those injuries included Shaun Marsh at the start of the year (yet he still scored 700 runs), NCN for the first 3 games and Michael Hogan for the last 3. Whiteman is in his 3rd season. Our other young keeper is Josh Inglis who scored over 1000 runs in grade cricket this year including a 246 in this weekend's grade cricket final.
kevin
Guest
WA have done well, despite the extensive injury toll you mention. They always come up with a crop of good players, relative to their population base. We are indebted to WA for some of Australia's finest over the years. If some Sandgropers would only stop whinging about how badly they're treated, we'd respect them even more!
Dave
Guest
If WA hadn't lost players to national team it would have been better off. Then we lose good players lured by more money in eastern states. I'll never understand why both Marsh boys aren't playing for Australia