Western Australia 256 (Whiteman 107, Philippe 52*, Inexperienced 3-33, Chook 3-37) vs New South Wales
Back to his favoured format, Whiteman shrugged off a lean BBL and a primary ball duck in Thursday’s Marsh Cup in opposition to NSW with 107 off 188 balls. He was significantly fluent driving the ball and ruthless in opposition to short-pitched bowling.
Two-time defending champions WA’s solely defeat of the season was a 10-wicket thrashing to NSW on the SCG as they sit fractionally behind Tasmania on the desk. NSW, who had been winless final season, had constructed momentum earlier than the break to be in hanging place of an sudden last’s tilt.
Captain Moises Henriques had no hesitation to bowl on a green-tinged floor and in notably cooler climate than the groups skilled in Thursday’s Marsh Cup, the place temperatures hit 43 levels in Perth.
But Whiteman and Bancroft expertly navigated the bowler-friendly conditions with the occasional supply rearing off the floor. Bancroft was cautious and scored only one off his first 12 balls earlier than he settled with a stupendous cowl drive as Whiteman additionally flourished by the off-side.
They judged the size beautifully and pounced on stray deliveries from NSW’s quicks, who usually bowled too full or quick. Chris Tremain and Jack Edwards had been unable to constantly bowl in harmful areas exterior off stump with Henriques turning to speedster Liam Hatcher for a spark.
He delivered with a vicious spell earlier than lunch and hit speeds of round 140kph, but Bancroft and Whiteman held agency. Offspinner Chris Inexperienced was carried away with the floor’s bounce and repeatedly bowled too quick as NSW toiled in a barren first session.
Batting appeared simpler after lunch with Whiteman relaxed in opposition to Edwards’ moderately pedestrian quick bowling to rattle previous his half-century. Whiteman sped previous Bancroft, who edged by slips in opposition to the luckless Hatcher.
A determined Henriques turned to Chook, who ended the 107-run partnership by having Bancroft nicely caught by Edwards at second slip. Chook discovered a trademark groove as he relentlessly hit a menacing spot exterior off-stump to torture Jayden Goodwin.
Goodwin, the son of former Zimbabwe Check batter Murray Goodwin, has impressed this season and was most well-liked at No. 3 over Teague Wyllie, who for a lot of the previous couple of seasons has batted in that place. But Goodwin was all at sea in opposition to Chook and nicked off on his thirteenth supply for a duck.
As soon as Chook went out of the assault, Whiteman capitalised and charged in direction of his century on the stroke of tea. He whacked a tiring Hatcher for 3 consecutive boundaries to maneuver to 97 earlier than guiding him over the slips for six to notch his second Defend ton of the season.
But NSW fought back in the ultimate session with WA shedding 4 for 8, together with Whiteman who was brilliantly run out from a direct throw by Ryan Hackney at square-leg. Whiteman tried a second run back to the striker’s finish, but Hackney charged in from the boundary and left him surprised having only one stump to goal at.
NSW had been on a roll when Wyllie fell lbw to Edwards for a golden duck, but they rued Inexperienced dropping Philippe earlier than he had scored in a sitter at third slip. In a late twist, Matt Kelly and Corey Rocchiccioli had been dismissed on the final two balls of the day’s play as WA had been bowled out.
Having performed in the Marsh Cup following an detached BBL, left-arm spinner Ashton Agar was ignored with WA sticking with offspinner Rocchiccioli, who has been a mainstay in their Defend staff in latest seasons. Nathan Lyon will not be enjoying for NSW after a busy Check summer season.
Tristan Lavalette is a journalist based mostly in Perth
