WA wins a consecutive Sheffield Shield after a commanding performance at the WACA against Victoria
The WACA Stadium, Perth (Photo: Western Australian Cricket Association)
Western Australia have kept hold of the Sheffield Shield after defeating Victoria by nine wickets at the WACA
over the weekend. The win see’s WA win the Shield two years in a row, and is the states 17th Shield title. The win sees WA hold back to victories in the BBL, one day series, and at the Sheffield Shield, in what is being described a “six-peat.”
Ashton Turner was named player of the match after dragging WA out of a tough spot with his 128 runs. With only 91 runs to chase to win the game, WA’s openers stepped up on day four and got the job done in just under 25 overs.
Victoria started the game batting in the first innings, with opener Ashley Chandrasinghe figure’s of 46 runs (not out) from 280 balls showing determination from the visitors. But WA’s pace attack, led by Matthew Kelly, proved too much for the Victorian batsmen in the end, who fell for 195 just before the 96th over.
WA faltered in the run chase, sitting at 53/4 just before the 30 over mark, before Ashton Turner and Aaron Hardie stood up to the task, setting a partnership of 86 runs to keep the hosts firmly in the chase. While Hardie fell for 45 after being caught by Marcus Harris off of Will Sutherlands bowling, Turner proved harder to get rid of.
Turner’s century turned the tides of the game, with WA bowlers Joel Paris and Matthew Kelly also adding a few late runs to set Victoria the task of chasing down 315. Victorian Bowler Will Sutherland ended the innings with five wickets to his name, while Scott Boland took his 300th shield wicket and Matt Short got the other two.
Victoria failed to step up to the chase, with a half century from Peter Handscomb and late game stand from Will Sutherland providing some fight. Sutherland brought the theatrics as he hit eight fours’, and one six to pull up 83 runs from 84 balls, before he was caught by Turner off of Hardie's bowling.
With only 91 runs left to chase, WA’s Teague Wylie and Cameron Bancroft made short of the chase. Wylie, only 18 years old, walked away with his second shield medal, along with 43 runs before WA won. Bancroft’s 39 was the other piece of the puzzle to help WA over the line.
The victory sees the Sheffield Shield season over for another year. Yet with the Ashes coming up, WA’s dominant performance will be sure to provide Australian test selectors with even more headaches.
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