Cricket

Western Australia's One-Day Cup woes continued as they suffered a dramatic two-run defeat to South Australia at Sydney's Cricket Central. The three-time defending champions collapsed from a promising position of 133 for 3, losing their last seven wickets for just 31 runs.South Australia's total of 166 was built around contributions from Daniel Drew (49) and Liam Scott (46). However, it was Western Australia's Bryce Jackson who stole the show with a career-best List A haul of 6 for 31.In reply, Western Australia looked set for victory with Ashton Turner (53) and Sam Whiteman (48) leading the charge. But the match turned on its head when Whiteman was caught at deep square leg, triggering a collapse that saw the last seven wickets fall for just 31 runs.Nathan McAndrew was the chief destroyer, claiming 5 for 40, including the wickets of Matthew Kelly and AJ Tye in consecutive deliveries. Ben Manenti then delivered the final blow, dismissing Turner to seal the win for South Australia.The defeat leaves Western Australia with their worst start to a season since 2015, while South Australia claimed their first win over their rivals since 2017.

Victoria's Sam Elliott etched his name into Australian One-Day domestic cricket history with a remarkable performance against Tasmania in Melbourne. Elliott's devastating spell of 7 for 12, the second-best figures in the competition's history, propelled Victoria to a thrilling four-wicket victory.On a challenging pitch at the Junction Oval, Elliott wreaked havoc on Tasmania's batting lineup. His extra bounce and late seam movement proved too much for the visitors, who were dismissed for a paltry 126. Elliott's victims included Jordan Silk, Jake Weatherald, and Brad Hope, all of whom were caught behind.Victoria's chase got off to a shaky start, losing six wickets for 72 runs. However, Elliott and skipper Will Sutherland combined for an unbeaten 56-run partnership to guide their side to victory. Elliott's 19 not out included some impressive pull shots, while Sutherland contributed a composed 36 not out.Earlier, Tasmania's innings had been hampered by the early dismissals of Mitch Own and Caleb Jewell. Elliott's introduction into the attack proved disastrous for the visitors, who lost their middle order in quick succession. Matthew Kuhnemann and Gabe Bell's 34-run partnership for the 10th wicket provided some consolation for Tasmania.Victoria's victory was a testament to Elliott's exceptional bowling performance and the resilience of Sutherland and Elliott's partnership. The result leaves Victoria with a 1-0 lead in the One-Day Cup series against Tasmania.

Queensland cricket has undergone a significant leadership shake-up, with legspinner Mitchell Swepson appointed as the official vice-captain. Swepson will lead the side in both the One-Day Cup and the Sheffield Shield when captain Marnus Labuschagne is absent on international duty.The decision to elevate Swepson to the leadership role is part of a broader restructuring under new coach Johan Botha and high performance manager Joe Dawes. Labuschagne was named permanent captain in all forms, replacing Usman Khawaja, despite his limited availability due to his commitments to the Australian Test and ODI teams.Swepson's elevation comes after he led the side in several pre-season games. Botha praised Swepson's leadership qualities, noting that the group "really would play for them and like what they see."Swepson will make his captaincy debut in Queensland's opening One-Day match against Tasmania on Wednesday. He will also lead the side against Victoria on Friday. Usman Khawaja will miss the match against Tasmania but will play against Victoria.Swepson has been Queensland's first-choice Shield spinner for years, but he has limited experience in the shorter format. However, Botha believes that Swepson's challenge as a spin bowling captain will come in Shield cricket rather than the shorter format."I think in One-Day cricket it's easier to captain as a spinner, because the game sort of tells you when to bowl," Botha said. "But in four-day cricket is he going to be brave enough to bowl the 17th over of the Shield game on day one. But that's what we'll keep, sort of pushing him towards to get himself into the game."Swepson is pushing for a place on Australia's Test tour of Sri Lanka in late January. He played the last of his four Tests in Sri Lanka in 2022 but missed out on selection during last year's tour of India.Botha has been impressed with Swepson's bowling during his first pre-season in charge of the Bulls. The coach is hoping to use Swepson more aggressively this year, even in seam-friendly conditions at the Gabba."I've been really impressed with him," Botha said. "His control for a legspinner has been excellent, and you can see why he has played Test cricket in the past. He got 30 wickets last year. So we're hoping for more of that this summer, and I think in our team we certainly want to use the spinners more and better and earlier in games."

Josh Philippe's scintillating century propelled New South Wales to a thrilling eight-run victory over Western Australia in the One-Day Cup. The former WA opener plundered a career-high 139 off 119 deliveries, overshadowing the return to form of WA's Jhye Richardson, who claimed 5 for 63.Philippe's innings was a masterclass in power-hitting, with the 27-year-old smashing 17 fours and three sixes. He was particularly brutal down the ground, both along the deck and over the top. WA's lone spinner, Ashton Agar, suffered plenty of punishment from Philippe, conceding 58 runs from eight overs.In reply, WA had a chance to snatch victory, moving to 279 for 9 with nine runs needed off the final eight balls. However, Will Salzmann ended their hopes with a stunning catch at deep point to dismiss AJ Tye.Cameron Bancroft top-scored for WA with 71, while Ashton Agar (51), Ashton Turner (41), and Hilton Cartwright (41) also made significant contributions.Richardson's five-wicket haul was a welcome return to form for the injury-prone quick. He put his injury woes behind him to finish with impressive figures, including two wickets in three balls in the sixth over.Philippe's century was a perfect start to his NSW career, having made the off-season switch from WA in a bid to reignite his Sheffield Shield career. His knock helped NSW post a formidable total despite the lack of support around him.Matthew Gilkes scored 41 off 47 batting at No.7 to be the next best scorer, while tail-ender Tanveer Singh added a handy 26 not out off 14 balls at the death.

Injury-prone Australian pace duo Lance Morris and Jhye Richardson are set to make their domestic white-ball returns for Western Australia in the upcoming One-Day Cup. Morris, who has been sidelined since February with a side strain, has been named in WA's 14-man squad for their opening matches against New South Wales and South Australia. Richardson, who has endured a string of hamstring and shoulder injuries in recent seasons, also returns to domestic 50-over cricket after playing in the IPL and Top End T20 Series over the winter.Morris's return is a cautious one, as he will likely only play one of the two matches next week. He will begin a gradual build-up towards a red-ball return, with the aim of being fit for the Sheffield Shield season in October. Richardson's return is also a step forward, but it remains to be seen whether he will be ready for Shield cricket next month.Uncontracted spinner Ashton Agar has also been named in WA's squad, along with veteran fast bowlers Jason Behrendorff and Andrew Tye. Cameron Bancroft is expected to keep wicket for WA in the absence of Josh Inglis, who is on national duty. Former WA opener Josh Philippe will face his old side for the first time on Sunday after moving to New South Wales.WA is aiming to become the first men's team in Australian One-Day domestic history to claim four consecutive titles. They have won five of the last seven tournaments and are looking to extend their dominance.Elsewhere, Nathan Ellis and Riley Meredith will miss Tasmania's opening two One-Day Cup matches due to injuries. Ellis is still recovering from a hamstring injury, while Meredith is undergoing a scan on a side injury sustained during Australia's tour of the UK.

Glamorgan's Dan Douthwaite emerged as a match-winning hero, guiding his team to a 39-run victory over Warwickshire in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup semi-final at Sophia Gardens.Douthwaite's all-round performance was crucial in securing Glamorgan's berth in the final at Trent Bridge next month. Batting first, Glamorgan found themselves in early trouble at 44 for 4, but Douthwaite's lusty 55, including four towering sixes, propelled them to a respectable total of 247 for 9. Colin Ingram (47) and Billy Root (46) also contributed valuable runs.Warwickshire's chase got off to a shaky start as Douthwaite's bowling removed Chris Benjamin and Kai Smith cheaply. Timm van der Gugten and Jamie McIlroy chipped in with wickets, while tight fielding and disciplined bowling kept the pressure on the visitors.Michael Burgess provided some resistance for Warwickshire, reaching a half-century with a flurry of sixes. However, his dismissal triggered a collapse, and despite some late resistance from Michael Booth, Warwickshire fell short of the target by 40 runs.Douthwaite's match-winning performance was a testament to his versatility and determination. His aggressive batting and incisive bowling played a pivotal role in Glamorgan's victory.

Venkatesh Iyer, the Indian all-rounder, is making waves in England's domestic cricket scene as he represents Lancashire in the One-Day Cup. This stint marks Iyer's maiden experience in English county cricket, providing him with an invaluable opportunity to hone his skills in diverse playing conditions.In Lancashire's match against Worcestershire at Old Trafford, Iyer showcased his batting prowess, scoring 25 runs. However, it was his bowling performance that stole the show. With Worcestershire needing just 4 runs off the last 8 balls, Iyer stepped up to the challenge.Despite conceding boundaries on his first two deliveries, Iyer remained composed. He then dismissed Tom Hinley and Harry Darley in consecutive balls, turning the tide of the match. Worcestershire was eventually bowled out for 234, handing Lancashire a thrilling 3-run victory.Iyer's performance highlights the benefits of playing in county cricket for subcontinent cricketers. The challenging conditions in England, including seaming pitches and overcast weather, provide a unique test for players. For Iyer, this experience will be crucial in refining his game, particularly against the moving ball.During his time with Lancashire, Iyer will have the privilege of playing alongside and against some of England's finest cricketers. This exposure will enhance his cricketing knowledge and adaptability, making him a more well-rounded player.Iyer's stint in county cricket is expected to contribute significantly to his growth as an all-rounder. His performances will not only benefit Lancashire but also the Kolkata Knight Riders, his Indian Premier League franchise, and the Indian national team.

Lancashire's Josh Bohannon and Worcestershire's Jake Libby starred in a thrilling encounter at Emirates Old Trafford, with Lancashire ultimately prevailing by a narrow three-run margin.Lancashire, batting first, struggled initially against Worcestershire's pace attack. However, Bohannon's composed 87 and a 63-run partnership with Venkatesh Iyer steadied the innings. Bohannon's dismissal for 87 triggered a collapse, but George Balderson's 50 and Harry Singh's late cameo helped Lancashire post a competitive 237.Worcestershire's chase began poorly, with Ed Pollock and Gareth Roderick falling cheaply. Libby and Tom Taylor then combined for an 89-run stand, keeping Worcestershire in contention. However, Libby's dismissal for 83 proved pivotal.With 40 runs required off 28 balls, Tom Hinley threatened to snatch victory for Worcestershire. However, Venkatesh Iyer dismissed Hinley and Harry Darley in quick succession to secure a dramatic win for Lancashire.For Lancashire, the victory provided a much-needed boost after a disappointing 50-over campaign. Bohannon's innings was a highlight, while Charlie Barnard's three wickets showcased his bowling prowess.Worcestershire, despite the defeat, secured a home quarter-final against Warwickshire. Skipper Jake Libby's 83 ensured their overall run rate remained healthy.

Derbyshire's bowlers, led by Pat Brown's exceptional performance, dismantled Lancashire's batting lineup in the Metro Bank One-Day Cup match at Derby, paving the way for a resounding nine-wicket victory.Brown, who recorded his best one-day figures of 5 for 37, wreaked havoc on the Lancashire batsmen, bowling six overs and claiming five wickets. Zak Chappell and Harry Moore also contributed with two wickets each, leaving Lancashire reeling at 99 all out in just 20 overs.Lancashire's highest score came from extras, with 19 runs, while only three players managed to reach double figures. Andrew Flintoff's 16-year-old son, Rocky, was one of those three, scoring 16 runs.Derbyshire's chase was a breeze, with Luis Reece leading the charge with an unbeaten 52 runs. Reece and Harry Came shared a 65-run partnership to seal the victory in the 20th over, with Derbyshire losing just one wicket.The victory marked Derbyshire's third in Group A, boosting their chances of reaching the knockout stages. Lancashire, on the other hand, suffered their third defeat, leaving them in a precarious position.Lancashire's batting woes began early, with Sam Conners trapping Harry Singh lbw in the first over. Chappell then struck twice in his fourth over, dismissing Josh Bohannon and George Bell, leaving Lancashire on 27 for 3.Flintoff, who was hit on the helmet by a short ball from Chappell, fell to another short delivery from Brown, reducing Lancashire to 55 for 5. Venkatesh Iyer, making his debut for Lancashire, showed some promise with two glorious drives for four, but he was caught by Brown in the deep.Brown continued his demolition, bowling Jack Blatherwick and Tom Aspinwall in quick succession. Moore then had George Balderson caught behind, and Brown completed the rout by bowling Charlie Barnard.Derbyshire's bowlers had set the stage for a comfortable victory, and Reece wasted no time in pressing the accelerator, hitting two sixes off Blatherwick in the fourth over. Reece and Came shared a double century opening stand against Middlesex on Saturday, but this time they were parted when Singh took a smart catch to dismiss Came.However, Reece and Brooke Guest, who remained unbeaten on 37, added 65 runs to put the seal on an impressive Derbyshire display.