WESTERN Australia’s dominance of Australian domestic cricket continued yesterday as the Warriors claimed back-to-back Marsh One-Day Cup titles. The hosts broke all sorts of records in their 181-run thumping of South Australia at the WACA, en route to becoming 50-over champions for the 16th time.

Promoted to the top of the order upon D’Arcy Short‘s omission, gloveman Josh Inglis accelerated to 138 off 110 balls to earn player of the match honours. His century, now the highest score in an Australian ODD final, helped spearhead Western Australia to a whopping 7-387 after being sent in to bat.

South Australian quick Spencer Johnson removed player of the tournament Josh Philippe after just five deliveries, but the Redbacks bowlers soon strayed. As Inglis upped the run rate, Cameron Bancroft pivoted perfectly up the other end for 90 off 112 balls.

The pair put on 227 runs in a partnership which lasted until the 36th over, allowing the middle order to swing freely to a monster total. Mitch Marsh blasted the fastest half-century seen in ODD finals, off just 27 balls, before Ashton Agar (26 off 15) and Aaron Hardie (23* off nine) went big at the death.

The Redbacks’ bowling innings was unfortunately highlighted by three crucial dropped catches, as Inglis was let off twice (on 26 and 118), while a chance from Bancroft was also grassed. Taking full toll, WA added a whopping 352 runs after being 1-35 after the 10th over.

South Australia’s response looked the goods for about as long, with the visitors reaching 0-74 in the first powerplay. Debutant Kelvin Smith, who replaced Jake Carder (hamstring) in the warmup, notched 44 runs in an opening partnership of 84, as Henry Hunt went on to chalk up an even 50.

The former was removed by Andrew Tye and the latter by Ashton Agar, who came on and immediately shifted the innings’ momentum. From 0-74 in the 10th, the Redbacks fell to 5-122 after 20 in a major collapse.

Consolation fireworks from Nathan McAndrew (42 off 26) brought SA’s total up to 206, but his side was thoroughly outclassed by the latest powerhouse in Australian domestic cricket. Agar took the final pole to end up with 5-64, while partner-in-crime Tye nabbed 3-34, and skipper Ashton Turner (2-22) also chimed in with the ball.

Western Australia’s hopes of completing another domestic treble are still alive, with both white ball titles remaining in the state and a home Sheffield Shield final in the offing. The Warriors will take on either Queensland or Victoria on March 23 at the WACA.

SCORECARD

TOSS: South Australia won the toss and elected to bowl.
RESULT: Western Australia (7-387) def. South Australia (206) by 181 runs.
POTM: Josh Inglis (Western Australia)
POTT: Josh Philippe (Western Australia)

Western Australia 7-387 (50.0)
Josh Inglis 138 (110), Cameron Bancroft 90 (112), Mitch Marsh 56 (30)
Wes Agar 2-56 (10), Henry Thornton 2-75 (8), Ben Manenti 2-77 (10)

South Australia 206 (31.4)
Henry Hunt 50 (55), Kelvin Smith 44 (34), Nathan McAndrew 42 (26)
Ashton Agar 5-64 (9.4), Andrew Tye 3-34 (7), Ashton Turner 2-22 (4)