THE 2022/23 Marsh One-Day Cup final is set to go down on Wednesday, with reigning champion Western Australia hosting South Australia at the WACA Ground in Perth. A host of gun 50-over players are set to take the field, and we take you through all you need to know ahead of this season’s decider.

NEED TO KNOW

WHO: Western Australia vs. South Australia
WHEN: Wednesday March 8, 12:05pm AWST
WHERE: WACA Ground, Perth 
WATCH: Fox Cricket, Kayo, ABC Sport, cricket.com.au

FORM

2022/23 Marsh One-Day Cup Records:
WA – 7 wins, 0 losses, 1.039 NRR | WWWWWWW
SA – 4 wins, 3 losses, 0.141 NRR | WLLWWLW

Western Australia has just about been untouchable in its quest for consecutive domestic one-day titles. The Warriors went unbeaten throughout the regular season, knocking off every other side in the competition – including its final opponent, twice.

The Redbacks established themselves as the best of the rest in the last round, belting Victoria in what was essentially a semi-final on February 25. Prior to that, they went down to WA in back-to-back matches and their only other loss came against Tasmania back in September last year.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Nov. 16 2022: Western Australia (8-270) def. South Australia (6-266) by 2 wickets @ WACA Ground
Feb. 15 2023: South Australia (210) def. by Western Australia (3-212) by 7 wickets @ Adelaide Oval

They may have only just snuck home in November last year, but the Warriors had little trouble dispatching SA in their more recent meeting last month. The first encounter saw WA surpass the Redbacks’ 6-266 with nine balls to spare, at a perilous eight wickets down in Perth.

Just a few weeks ago though, things were far more comprehensive as the Warriors completed another successful chase, three wickets down in the 39th over. Cam Bancroft (80* off 88) was named player of the match while Marcus Stoinis (42* off 29) helped belt the winning runs at Adelaide Oval.

X-FACTORS

Josh Philippe (Western Australia)
436 runs @ 72.66 | 107.65 SR | 100 HS | 50 x4, 100 x1

Philippe hasn’t enjoyed the most prolific nor consistent domestic season in other formats, but has nailed his role in the 50-over game. The explosive opener boats the second-most runs of anyone in the One-Day Cup this season, compiling 436 at an average of over 70 with five scores over 50.

In combination with D’Arcy Short atop the order, the pair has notched up three century stands and can do so at a good tick. Should Philippe be at his best, his 360-degree shotmaking could be a factor which takes the game away from South Australia, quickly.

Ben Manenti (South Australia)
159 runs @ 39.75 | 123.25 SR | 61 HS | 50 x4
9 wickets @ 32.33 | 4.70 economy | 2-37 BB

A shrewd off-season recruit for season 2022/23, Manenti has proven somewhat of a saviour for the Redbacks with his lower order exploits. The allrounder has notched up four half-centuries and strikes at a fearsome 123.25, meaning the game is never over when he’s at the crease.

While Manenti has found the rope with relative ease, opposition batters have found his bowling far more difficult to get away. He has claimed nine wickets at a very tidy economy rate of 4.70, proving a more than handy contributor who may make all the difference in a close final.

SQUADS

Western Australia: Ashton Turner (c), Ashton Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Jason Behrendorff, Cameron Gannon, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis (wk), Matthew Kelly, Mitch Marsh, Josh Philippe, D’Arcy Short, Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye

South Australia: Jake Lehmann (c), Wes Agar, Jake Carder, Daniel Drew, Henry Hunt, Spencer Johnson, Ben Manenti, Nathan McAndrew, Nathan McSweeney, Harry Nielsen (wk), Liam Scott, Kelvin Smith, Henry Thornton

Western Australia have lost first XI candidates Cameron Green and Lance Morris to the Test squad, but will have access to Marcus Stoinis and Ashton Agar before they jet off for Australia’s ODI series in India.

Mitch Marsh has been a handy recent returnee, and Andrew Tye‘s timely return from the Pakistan Super League is massive. The only potential sour selection note for WA surrounds Jhye Richardson, who awaits the result of scans on the hamstring niggle he reaggravated on his return to Premier cricket.

Just like WA, South Australia will be without two stars – Travis Head and Alex Carey – due to Test duties. Though, left-arm quick Spencer Johnson has been like a new recruit of late, elevating a relatively even squad which has fared well nonetheless.

HISTORY

WA not only holds the wood over SA in 2022/23, but has not lost a game against the Redbacks since October 2017. The two sides met in the final that season (2017/18), which the Warriors took out. They have met four times in One-Day Cup finals for two wins apiece, with WA laying claim to a record 15 titles, while SA has three.

PREDICTION

As was the case with the Perth Scorchers in BBL|12, it is incredibly difficult to look past such a dominant West Australian side which features many of the same stars. It won’t be straightforward, but the Warriors have two wins this season over the Redbacks fresh in their memory, and should make it three.