A clinical Western Australia have defended their Sheffield Shield crown, defeating Victoria by nine wickets on the back of Ashton Turner’s pivotal century.
Set 91 to win on day four of the final at the WACA Ground, the hosts reached their target in 24.4 overs after losing Sam Whiteman for a third-ball duck.
Teague Wyllie (43no) and Cameron Bancroft (39no) shepherded WA to an unprecedented ‘six-peat’ of consecutive Shield, one-day cup and Big Bash League titles with a day-and-a-half’s play remaining.
The pair wasted little time pursuing their target after lunch, Wyllie having survived being dropped on four by Peter Handscomb at second slip off the bowling of Scott Boland.
But it was Turner who earlier provided the defining performance of the match, scoring a magnificent 128 to guide WA to a first-innings total of 315.
Playing in just his second game back in the Shield after a two-and-a-half year exodus, Turner – man of the match in Perth Scorchers’ Big Bash League final win last month – proved he can be a matchwinner across all formats.
WA’s outstanding pace attack restricted Victoria to totals of 195 and 210 in the first and second innings respectively.
The visitors lost four wickets for 10 runs to be 6-74 in the second dig before Will Sutherland dug in for a valiant 83 off 84 balls.
Struggling with a back injury after sending down 28 overs in WA’s first innings for figures of 5-75, Sutherland smacked eight fours and a six in a late resistance aided by contributions from Mitch Perry (20) and Todd Murphy (26).
He had little option but to go on the attack with Victoria needing to win outright to claim the title after being outpaced on bonus points.
The allrounder had been promoted to the captaincy during Handscomb’s absence on Test duties and his lion-hearted performance underscored why he is seen as one of the nation’s best young prospects.
Aaron Hardie (2-29) broke through before lunch on Sunday to have Sutherland caught at long off and Murphy at point.
Handscomb (52) was the only other batter to reach double figures in Victoria’s second dig.
The visitors’ first innings was notable for opener Ash Chandrasinghe’s epic unbeaten 46 off 280 balls and almost seven hours at the crease.
Matt Kelly (2-50, 4-41) led a WA pace battery which outperformed Victoria’s attack across the duration of the match.
Joel Paris claimed five wickets for the match and a valuable first-innings 31 in partnership with Turner, while firebrand Lance Morris produced figures of 3-53 and 1-69 in his first red-ball game in almost four months.
The hosts also excelled in the field.
Wyllie led the highlight reel with a superb diving catch at midwicket to dislodge Campbell Kellaway and precipitate Victoria’s second-innings collapse.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Well it’s great, providing the best have the pleasure of representing Australia in all three forms but most importantly Test Cricket! And furthermore making our test team better & stronger!
Pierro
Roar Rookie
chanon I was wondering why he didn't bowl second innings . what a shame for the ashes and he had signed to county . he had made all the smart moves as well as form to start in the ashes if county went well . unlucky but hopefully he comes back strong next season and sorts the fracture out as he will be an asset for Australia the way he is going
13th Man
Roar Rookie
M Marsh, Agar, J Richardson, Inglis, Stoinis and Green all could’ve been playing for WA too.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
If Oz selectors are true to form, he'll be 12th man.
Chanon
Roar Rookie
Shame that Sutherland injured his back in final possibly could have allowed the Vics to win game if he bowled in 2nd innings. :stoked: On a serious note a future test player awaits in 2 seasons if he can recover & not be prone to back stress fractures. Think he’s only 23 plenty of time up his sleeve.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Did he play BBL as an import? Hardly.
jammel
Roar Rookie
Yes - MMarsh definitely as he's a certainty in our best ODI and T20 XI imo. Turner could be considered, were he to be in the teams. I don't think he can rightfully be considered a potential (c) atm...but let's see.
13th Man
Roar Rookie
Yep, the experience he is getting is invaluable. 2 shields by 18 years old! Geez Shaun Marsh must've wished it was that easy. Teague will play for Australia, just needs a few consistent years at Shield level. Can't wait to see how he goes on the A tour in New Zealand, I'm hoping to get to watch a couple of the games as am currently living in the South Island.
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
I see Rabada got him for a duck :unhappy:
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
Cam Bancroft was in all three teams.
matth
Roar Guru
Here is an interesting question. Right now should M Marsh and A Turner be the two contenders for Australian white ball captain?
matth
Roar Guru
Absolutely. WA seconds probably finish top three or four in the Shield right now
matth
Roar Guru
I think you’d take Neser for now with his experience and consistency. But that will likely change within a year . For me only Khawaja would strengthen WA and he’s pretty much the best all conditions opener in the world right now.
matth
Roar Guru
Only if WA get Green back too. I’d say WA would have is pretty well covered right now. We were dead unlucky with injuries in that last game to miss the final though
matth
Roar Guru
The depth is unprecedented. Typically it’s been NSW who exports players around the country to get a go. Now there are probably 10 WA guys who are underused
matth
Roar Guru
Yeah that Gilchrist guy was rubbish! :laughing:
matth
Roar Guru
I’d say the experience of coming up against a bowler like Boland at the top of his game, and surviving, is invaluable. For both technical learning and confidence I can’t think of a better experience for the kid
matth
Roar Guru
Some people just have a knack for making the right decisions.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I think the best chance for Freo to win a game would be when they come up against the equally winless Crows. :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Jeff
Roar Rookie
Agreed. And it shows that it actually doesn't take *that* much with the right effort from administrators and media who have Aus DOMESTIC cricket front and centre of mind, to keep Aus FIRST CLASS domestic cricket at the forefront re being the bedrock of the Australian game.