SOUTH Australia continued its Sheffield Shield revival in 2024/25, remaining top of the table with a crushing six-wicket win over three-time reigning champion, Western Australia. A chaotic two days at the WACA yielded the third-lowest aggregate score (376 runs) in competition history.

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Remarkably, 20 wickets fell on day one for just 244 runs. WA was sent in to bat and mustered 120 after cruising at 2-72, with opener Sam Fanning (49) top-scoring. The hosts lost their last six wickets for 19 runs as Jordan Buckingham (3-35) and Liam Scott (3-10) ran riot with ball in hand.

After the SACAs navigated to the tea break at 1-21, they finished their first innings all out for 124, leading by just four runs at the close of play. SA’s lower order collapse read 6-23, confirming it was a day for the bowlers. Brody Couch 4-33 and Corey Rocchiccioli 3-10 were the ones to cash in.

The carnage continued on day two, with WA losing three wickets before crawling back into the lead. Both openers – Fanning and Teague Wyllie – departed for ducks, while first drop Jayden Goodwin (2) became the second of Nathan McAndrew‘s seven wickets in the innings.

Having fallen to 5-13, Ashton Turner (30) helped rally his side before his dismissal paved the way for another almighty collapse. This time, the WACAs lost their last five wickets for 14 runs – ironically an improvement on their top order. McAndrew finished with career-best figures of 7-11.

A miserly 63 runs was all South Australia needed to accrue to get the job done. A wobbly base was set after Henry Hunt went without scoring, but Jason Sangha (24*) ensured his side would get the job done in just 17.4 overs, ending the match within four-and-a-half sessions.

The result sees SA strengthen its position atop the standings with four wins, two draws and one loss, firming to host the Sheffield Shield final. Meanwhile, the three-time reigning champions are at risk of falling down the ladder, pending other results. They sit third with two wins, two draws and three losses.

Around the grounds, Queensland is well poised against New South Wales at The Gabba. The hosts stumbled to 3-45 but finished day one on 5-307 thanks to Jack Clayton‘s century. They then added 80 valuable runs to their overnight score to end up on 387.

Clayton was the first to go on day two having posted 134 off 258 deliveries, before Liam Hatcher (4-92) swept up the last three wickets. In response, New South Wales also started shakily. The Blues fell to 5-39 before being resurrected by a 143-run partnership between Jack Edwards and Matthew Gilkes.

The former went into stumps unbeaten on 104, while the latter’s dig of 66 helped bring respectability to NSW’s total. The visitors will continue on day three still 150 runs in arrears of Queensland on 7-237, with Edwards to continue alongside Hanno Jacobs (12). Xavier Bartlett (3-54) is on track for a five-for.

Down at Bellerive Oval, Tasmania fought back late on day two after conceding a first innings deficit to Victoria. The hosts were bowled out for 236 on day one, and knocked over the Vics for 258 before taking back the lead by the close of day two at 1-43.

A pair of First Class debutants top-scored in either sides’ first innings, with Aidan O’Connor (53) and Harry Dixon (66) both raising the bat. The latter’s knock included seven fours and three sixes. The Tigers will resume play on day three 21 runs in the lead.

SCORECARDS

WESTERN AUSTRALIA vs. SOUTH AUSTRALIA @ THE WACA

RESULT: South Australia won by 6 wickets
POTM: Nathan McAndrew (South Australia)
TOSS: South Australia won & elected to bowl

1st Innings: Western Australia 10-120 (42.4)
Sam Fanning 49 (94), Joel Curtis 15 (30), Ashton Turner 12 (14)
Liam Scott 3-10 (8.4), Jordan Buckingham 3-35 (12), Brendan Doggett 2-24 (9)

2nd Innings: South Australia 10-124 (40.2)
Jason Sangha 45 (81), Daniel Drew 26 (31), Henry Hunt 15 (28)
Brody Couch 4-33 (9), Corey Rocchiccioli 3-10 (6), Joel Paris 2-34 (14.2)

South Australia led by 4 runs.

3rd Innings: Western Australia 10-66 (26.3)
Ashton Turner 30 (36), Keaton Critchell 11 (52)
Nathan McAndrew 7-11 (9.3), Jordan Buckingham 3-27 (8)

Western Australia led by 62 runs.

4th Innings: South Australia 4-66 (17.4)
Jason Sangha 24* (43), Conor McInerney 23 (36), Daniel Drew 10* (11)
Brody Couch 1-4 (2), Cameron Gannon 1-14 (6), Corey Rocchiccioli 1-19 (2.4)

South Australia won by 6 wickets.

QUEENSLAND vs. NEW SOUTH WALES @ THE GABBA

1st Innings: Queensland 10-387 (107.3)
Jack Clayton 134 (258), Lachlan Hearne 63 (126), Michael Neser 43 (69)
Liam Hatcher 4-92 (20.3), Jack Edwards 2-68 (21), Hanno Jacobs 2-75 (17)

2nd Innings: New South Wales 7-237 (70)
Jack Edwards 104* (132), Matthew Gilkes 66 (138), Chris Green 18 (23)
Xavier Bartlett 3-54 (16), Michael Neser 2-30 (14), Tom Straker 1-60 (14)

New South Wales trail by 150 runs.

TASMANIA vs. VICTORIA @ BELLERIVE OVAL

1st Innings: Tasmania 10-236 (86.1)
Aidan O’Connor 53 (92), Tim Ward 45 (95), Jake Weatherald 41 (85)
Peter Siddle 2-43 (21.1), Sam Elliott 2-51 (19), Fergus O’Neill 2-56 (23)

2nd Innings: Victoria 10-258 (80)
Harry Dixon 66 (73), Tom Rogers 33 (61), Sam Elliott 30* (61)
Kieran Elliott 4-55 (17), Gabe Bell 3-33 (23), Raf MacMillan 1-32 (8)

Victoria led by 22 runs.

3rd Innings: Tasmania 1-43 (19)
Jake Weatherald 26* (52), Tim Ward 13* (44)
Peter Siddle 1-14 (5)

Tasmania leads by 21 runs.