Western Australia 312 (Fanning 95, Whiteman 67, Neser 4-34) Beat Queensland 147 (Rocchiccioli 7-52) and 153 (Morris 3-35) for an entrance and 12 races
Western Australian champions have revived their search for the history of Sheffield’s shield, defeating Queensland for an entrance and 12 races to rise from the last to the third on the stairs.
WA, seeking to become the first state to win four consecutive shields since Tasmania entered the competition in 1977-78, began the encounter at the foot of the stairs. But they were third with NSW (32.87) taking second place after defeating Victoria, while Queensland (28.45) slid from the third to the fifth.
WA’s victory arrived only 11 days after being humiliated in Turf Home by SA when they posted dozens of 120 and 66 in a loss of six Wickt.
“We had a good reflection … but you can only talk a lot,” Captain Sam Whiteman said. “To put some actions in place and perform very well with the ball and the bat is pleasant, it is a difficult place to win, the Gabba. It gives us the best opportunity to return home for the two final games.”
Morris crossed Queensland’s tail and was in a hat-trick after saying goodbye to Xavier Bartlett and Bowling Mark Steketee for a golden duck. He sprayed his attempted Hat-trick, sending a delivery to Mitch Swepson on the side of the leg to lose the milestone.
Queensland’s batters fought again in their second tickets with Ben McDermott and Lachlan Hearne of upper score, both made 33. Angus Lovell, their opening partner, Matt Renshaw and Michael Neser, were the only other batters to reach double figures.
Morris de Wa collected 3 by 35 of 13 overs: he also removed McDermott with a brute of a short ball that grew up in the batter, which surpassed the Wicktkeeper Joel Curtis.
Rocchiccioli ended with his best figures of first -class matches of 9 by 79, while the patient Joel Paris and Cameron Gannon also took multiple wickts of the second entry.
“Impressive reward for him to get his first 5 for,” Whiteman said. “He has assumed the 100 Wields of Shield without five, so ending nine for the game is incredible. It is a weapon for us the first day when he is turning.”
After this round, all the states have two remaining games before the final. WA receives NSW from March 6 and Victoria since March 15 in Waca Ground in Perth.
Queensland will be on the road to its remaining accessories, against Tasmania in Bellerive Oval and southern Australia in Karen Rolton Oval on the same dates.
