WESTERN Australia has locked in top spot on the Sheffield Shield ladder for a third season running, after roaring to a 138-run win over Victoria yesterday. Meanwhile, Tasmania spurned its chance to host the final in a 134-run loss to South Australia, but will face WA in the decider nonetheless.

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The Warriors were in the box seat heading into day three at Junction Oval, boasting a lead of 219 runs. They added only 49 to their second innings total of 168, but proved clinical with the ball to bowl Victoria out for 130 in 42.1 overs, securing a comfortable win.

Cameron Gannon, whose 5-42 helped Western Australia to a 100-run first innings lead, was named Player of the Match. Batters Cameron Bancroft and Josh Inglis also made up much of the difference with steadying second innings knocks of 58 and 45 respectively.

In an unsuccessful chase of 269, emerging first drop Campbell Kellaway was the only Victorian batter to pass 50 but ultimately came undone via the arm of Liam Haskett (3-12). He was the last wicket to fall among a 6-33 procession of poles to close out the match.

Down in Hobart, Tasmania was left hoping Victoria could pull through for at least a draw after being upset by the fifth-placed South Australia. Entering day three at 1-8 chasing 324 for victory, the Tigers were never really in the hunt and could only muster 189 fourth innings runs.

Beau Webster (68) and Jake Doran (34) peeled off a 60-run stand as the only real form of resistance to South Australia’s three-pronged attack. Jordan Buckingham spearheaded the win with 5-65, supported ably by Brendan Doggett (3-73) and Nathan McAndrew (2-42).

The result means that despite heading into the final round in first place, Tasmania relinquished hosting rights in the final to Western Australia for their clash which begins on March 21. Nonetheless, it will be the Tigers’ first appearance in the Sheffield Shield decider since 2018.

The very last regular season match for 2023/24 remains ongoing, with a result very much possible between Queensland and New South Wales. The Bulls are 8-287 in their second innings at Allan Border Field, leading by 115 runs.

Fresh off a first innings dig of 70, Xavier Bartlett has again compiled some handy runs in Queensland’s tail. He is set to resume on day four with 57 runs to his name. Such feats have left the Blues frustrated after having Queensland pinned at 4-42.

Earlier, New South Wales prodigy Oliver Davies (131) posted a fine century in his side’s total of 316. The knock helped the Blues establish a 172-run lead, but quick wickets will have to be in order to ensure a consolation victory is still in play. Of course, Queensland could yet play spoiler.

SCORECARDS

VICTORIA vs. WESTERN AUSTRALIA
CitiPower Centre, Melbourne

RESULT: Western Australia won by 138 runs
POTM: Cameron Gannon (Western Australia)

Victoria won the toss & elected to bowl.

1st Innings: Western Australia 10-244 (83.1)
Jayden Goodwin 43 (117), Aaron Hardie 40 (108), Sam Whiteman 35 (57)
Scott Boland 4-41 (19), Fergus O’Neill 3-48 (17.1), Todd Murphy 2-54 (17)

2nd Innings: Victoria 10-144 (43)
Matt Short 53 (69), Mitchell Perry 37 (95), Todd Murphy 21* (18)
Cameron Gannon 5-42 (12), Liam Haskett 3-36 (8), Joel Paris 2-16 (8)

Western Australia led by 100 runs.

3rd Innings: Western Australia 10-168 (66.4)
Cameron Bancroft 58 (166), Josh Inglis 45 (94), Corey Rocchiccioli 18* (27)
Scott Boland 4-51 (20.4), Fergus O’Neill 3-45 (17), Todd Murphy 2-19 (12)

Western Australia led by 268 runs.

4th Innings: Victoria 10-130 (42.1)
Campbell Kellaway 53 (136), Sam Harper 21 (31), Matt Short 15 (19)
Liam Haskett 3-12 (8.1), Joel Paris 2-17 (10), Corey Rocchiccioli 2-26 (8)

Western Australia won by 138 runs.

TASMANIA vs. SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Blundstone Arena, Hobart

RESULT: South Australia won by 134 runs
POTM: Nathan McSweeney (South Australia)

Tasmania won the toss & elected to bowl.

1st Innings: South Australia 10-271 (77.2)
Nathan McSweeney 117 (174), Kyle Brazell 29 (55), Ben Manenti 29 (27)
Iain Carlisle 3-62 (18), Beau Webster 3-63 (18), Kieran Elliott 3-65 (14.2)

2nd Innings: Tasmania 10-123 (36.2)
Jake Doran 52 (77), Bradley Hope 31 (36), Matthew Wade 20 (36)
Nathan McAndrew 6-44 (15.2), Brendan Doggett 4-36 (10), Jordan Buckingham 0-35 (9)

South Australia led by 148 runs.

3rd Innings: South Australia 10-175 (59.1)
Harry Nielsen 53 (87), Ben Manenti 33 (65), Kyle Brazell 30 (81)
Beau Webster 3-37 (16), Iain Carlisle 3-42 (15), Kieran Elliott 2-14 (9)

South Australia led by 323 runs.

4th Innings: Tasmania 10-189 (46.4)
Beau Webster 68 (76), Jake Doran 34 (48), Charlie Wakim 23 (34)
Jordan Buckingham 5-65 (15.4), Brendan Doggett 3-73 (14), Nathan McAndrew 2-42 (17)

South Australia won by 134 runs.

QUEENSLAND vs. NEW SOUTH WALES
Allan Border Field, Brisbane

Stumps, Day Three

New South Wales won the toss & elected to bowl.

1st Innings: Queensland 10-144 (48.1)
Xavier Bartlett 70 (75), Max Bryant 33 (57), Jack Wildermuth 24 (50)
Chris Tremain 6-20 (15.1), Jack Edwards 2-37 (9), Jack Nisbet 1-26 (10)

2nd Innings: New South Wales 10-316 (88.3)
Oliver Davies 131 (147), Sam Konstas 57 (110), Matthew Gilkes 35 (91)
Mitch Swepson 3-76 (25), Callum Vidler 2-50 (12), Xavier Bartlett 2-69 (16.3)

New South Wales led by 172 runs.

3rd Innings: Queensland 8-287 (80)
Jimmy Peirson 64 (121), Xavier Bartlett 57* (94), Jack Wildermuth 47 (73)
Tanveer Sangha 4-116 (33), Jack Edwards 2-42 (15), Chris Tremain 1-40 (15)

Queensland leads by 115 runs.