Cricket

Western Australia's batting heroes, Sam Whiteman and Josh Inglis, defied a hostile Queensland attack to rescue their team from a disastrous start on day one of the Sheffield Shield clash at the WACA.After Test hopeful Cameron Bancroft fell off the first ball, Michael Neser wreaked havoc, claiming two more wickets to leave WA reeling at 18 for 3. However, Whiteman and Inglis combined for a mammoth 203-run partnership, turning the tide in WA's favor.Inglis, known for his aggressive style, smashed 122 off 117 balls, while Whiteman played a more measured innings, batting for almost the entire day to score 102. Neser, who has been on the fringes of Test selection, inspired a late rally with the second new ball, dismissing Whiteman and Matthew Kelly to finish with 5 for 48.Queensland skipper Marnus Labuschagne's decision to bowl first paid off initially, but Whiteman and Inglis's heroics proved too much for the visitors. Hilton Cartwright and Cooper Connolly also contributed valuable runs, while first-class debutant Tom Straker impressed with his lively spell.Both teams entered the season with injury concerns, but WA's depth was tested with several key players sidelined. Queensland, too, were without quick Xavier Bartlett.As the match enters day two, WA will look to build on their strong position, while Queensland will need to find a way to break through their resilient batting lineup.

The Sheffield Shield, Australia's premier domestic cricket competition, kicks off its new season on October 8 with Western Australia aiming to make history. No team has won four consecutive Shields since the competition expanded to six teams in 1977-78.New South Wales:NSW, under captain Moises Henriques, has made significant off-season signings with Nic Maddinson and Josh Philippe joining the squad. They will look to improve on last season's third-place finish, relying on a potent new-ball attack featuring Chris Tremain and Jackson Bird.Queensland:Queensland, led by Marnus Labuschagne, has a new coach in Johan Botha and a new captain in Labuschagne. They will aim to improve on last season's dismal performance, with a focus on settling a young middle-order.South Australia:South Australia, under captain Nathan McSweeney, has undergone leadership changes and recruited Jason Sangha from NSW. They will look to address their batting woes and rely on a strong fast-bowling attack.Tasmania:Tasmania, last season's finalists, will be bolstered by the addition of Test spinner Matt Kuhnemann. They will aim to build on their success, with a balanced attack and a solid batting lineup led by Beau Webster.Victoria:Victoria, under captain Will Sutherland, will look to bounce back from last season's disappointing finish. They have a similar group to last year, with a well-balanced attack and experienced batters.Western Australia:Defending champions Western Australia, led by Sam Whiteman, will face their toughest challenge yet. They have an international-standard team but will need to rely on their depth due to injuries and international departures.Australia Impact:The Shield season will be impacted by Australia's Test series against India, with several players expected to miss games. NSW, Queensland, and Victoria will be particularly affected, with the likes of Nathan Lyon, Marnus Labuschagne, and Scott Boland likely to be unavailable at times.

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.

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.

The Australian cricket landscape is undergoing a significant shift as several prominent players have been left off state contract lists, opting for freelance opportunities in global franchise leagues. Among them are Ashton Agar, Marcus Stoinis, Jason Behrendorff, and Andrew Tye, who have all been omitted from Western Australia's (WA) contract list for 2024-25.Agar's absence is particularly notable as the 30-year-old all-rounder has elected to pursue freelance opportunities globally, driven by limited playing time in WA's Sheffield Shield team last season. He has made this decision in consultation with WA's high-performance staff and Australia's selectors.By not taking a contract, Agar frees himself up to play in franchise leagues such as the SA20, ILT20, BPL, and PSL during Australia's domestic season. Tye, who signed a one-year deal with WA last season, has also opted to go freelance again, while Behrendorff will do so for the first time in his career.Despite not being contracted, Agar, Behrendorff, and Tye will remain involved in WA's program when not playing overseas. They will be selected for Marsh Cup games when available, and Agar remains keen to play Shield cricket if an opportunity arises.Stoinis, 34, is in a slightly different situation. He has not played for WA since March 2020 and is exploring the possibility of signing a year-round deal with his IPL franchise, Lucknow Super Giants. He has already played for the franchise's teams in the SA20 and IPL this year.Meanwhile, WA has added former New South Wales wicketkeeper Baxter Holt and Victoria quick Brody Couch to their squad. Holt is expected to get opportunities in Shield cricket, while Couch is looking for a fresh start after limited playing time in Victoria.

Western Australia's triumph in the Sheffield Shield final marked a significant milestone for the team, particularly for veteran paceman Joel Paris. With the victory, WA secured a hat-trick of titles, but for Paris, this one held special significance."I reckon this means more than the other two," Paris confided in teammates Sam Whiteman and Hilton Cartwright.Paris's words resonated with the team's resilience and determination throughout the season. Despite injuries to key quicks Jhye Richardson, Lance Morris, and Matthew Kelly, WA relied on their fringe bowlers to step up. Cameron Gannon and Charlie Stobo played crucial roles, but it was Paris's unwavering presence that anchored the attack.Paris's new-ball bowling was instrumental in setting the tone for both of Tasmania's innings. He exploited the grassy surface, consistently beating the bat with sharp seam movement. Despite taking only two wickets in the final, Paris's contribution was undeniable.Over the course of the season, Paris amassed 39 wickets at an exceptional average of 15.2. His career tally now stands at 174 wickets in 44 first-class matches, with an impressive average of 20.05.Paris's durability was also remarkable, as he played five consecutive Shield matches and the Marsh Cup final despite a delayed start to the season due to a hamstring injury."When you're in a situation where you just have to keep going, I think your body senses that and just finds something," Paris said. "I'm really proud of what I've been able to achieve this year."Despite his limited international appearances, Paris remains on the radar of the Australian hierarchy. He played for Australia A last year and was considered for the Ashes tour."That desire to play for Australia is always there. For me that will never go away until I put up the boots," he said.Paris's future plans are uncertain, but he is considering a stint in the UK. For now, however, he is savoring the moment and looking forward to a well-deserved break.

Corey Rocchiccioli's heroic performance in the Sheffield Shield final, despite battling a fever and cramps, has cemented his status as a rising star in Australian cricket.Despite waking up with a fever on the first day of the final, Rocchiccioli refused to let his illness sideline him. He took his place in the Western Australia team and bowled 22 overs on day two, claiming two crucial wickets that thwarted Tasmania's momentum.Rocchiccioli's determination was even more remarkable considering he was also battling cramps in both calves. "It was pretty hard at times," he said. "But playing in a Shield final, you've got no excuses."His efforts helped WA gain a decisive 161-run first-innings lead. Rocchiccioli finished with 4 for 48 from 28 overs, a performance that has drawn comparisons to Michael Jordan's famous "flu game" in basketball.On day four, Rocchiccioli tore through Tasmania's lower order, finishing with 3 for 55 to help WA clinch their third straight title. His performance has put him in contention to succeed Nathan Lyon in the Test team.Rocchiccioli's rise has been meteoric. He has become a WACA specialist, utilizing his height and canny drift to generate awkward bounce and deceive batters. His performances have caught the attention of national selectors, who were in attendance during the final.While Rocchiccioli remains humble about his chances of playing for Australia, his outstanding performances have consigned left-arm spinner Ashton Agar to the outer for WA. Rocchiccioli paid tribute to Agar, his club cricket teammate and close friend, for his support and guidance.Rocchiccioli's success is a testament to his determination and resilience. Despite not coming through WA's strong pathway program, he has worked tirelessly to establish himself as one of the most promising young spinners in the country.

Western Australia's dominance in Australian domestic cricket continued as they clinched a historic hat-trick of Sheffield Shield titles with a crushing 377-run victory over Tasmania at the WACA.Resuming on day four with a commanding lead of 316 runs, WA's batsmen extended their advantage to 537 before declaring their second innings on 376. Hilton Cartwright led the way with an unbeaten 94, while Cameron Gannon and Corey Rocchiccioli wreaked havoc with the ball for Tasmania.Tasmania's chase of an improbable 538 runs proved futile as they were bowled out for a mere 160 in just 40.5 overs. Gannon starred with a five-wicket haul, while Rocchiccioli claimed three wickets.The Tasmanian innings imploded under a withering new-ball spell from Gannon and Joel Paris, who reduced them to 26 for 3. Beau Webster, the Shield's leading run-scorer, provided a brief glimmer of hope with a spectacular diving catch to dismiss Aaron Hardie, but his dismissal late in the day ended any chance of a miracle.WA's victory cemented their status as the powerhouse of Australian domestic cricket. It was only the second three-peat over the past 20 years and WA's first since the late 1980s. They are also the only team to have won three consecutive Sheffield Shield and Marsh Cup titles.Tasmania, who needed an outright victory to end an 11-year drought, played aggressively but were outmatched by WA's brilliant attack. WA dominated all facets of the match, while Tasmania appeared overmatched after missing their chance to host the final due to a last-round loss to South Australia.