WESTERN Australia has secured a home final in the 2022/23 Marsh Cup, after cruising to a controlled win over South Australia at Adelaide Oval. The Warriors earned a bonus point as they chased the Redbacks’ modest 210 in under 40 overs, emphatically maintaining their undefeated record.

The victory was steered by a wealth of experience with the bat, with player of the match Cameron Bancroft finishing unbeaten on 80 alongside Marcus Stoinis (42), who clubbed the Warriors home in brutal fashion.

Bancroft also combined with D’Arcy Short (77) to peel off most of the required runs, essentially doing so in a canter before accelerating late in the innings. Only Josh Philippe and Josh Inglis (both five) failed to get going as Wes Agar (2-33) claimed both of their wickets.

Earlier, the visitors sent South Australia in to bat and controlled the tempo of the game with accurate bowling in partnerships. Wickets fell consistently and the scoring rate stuttered, until Ben Manenti came in at seven and made things look easy with his big-hitting knock of 61 (39).

Jake Lehmann (43) also helped to pivot the middle order effort, but the Redbacks’ counterattack was halted by the golden arm of Short (2-37), though not even he could prevent South Australia from edging over the 200-mark.

Jason Behrendorff (3-36) claimed the first and last wickets of the innings to be the pick of WA’s bowlers, while Short was joined by Joel Paris with two. In a true team effort, all six of the Warriors bowlers claimed at least one pole.

The result sees 16-times champion Western Australia enter its 27th one-day domestic decider, though a clash with Tasmania awaits at Blundstone Arena on February 26. The Warriors are set to regain both Shaun and Mitch Marsh for the final regular season match.

Meanwhile, South Australia is still in contention for second spot, and will have to beat Victoria on the same day to stand any chance of qualifying. The Redbacks will also hope Tasmania falls short in its two remaining games.

SCORECARD

TOSS: Western Australia won the toss and elected to bowl.
RESULT: Western Australia (3-212) def. South Australia (210) by 7 wickets.
POTM: Cameron Bancroft (Western Australia)

1st Innings: South Australia 210 (47.3)
Ben Manenti 61 (39), Jake Lehmann 43 (60), Henry Hunt 28 (41)
Jason Behrendorff 3-36 (9.3), D’Arcy Short 2-37 (7), Joel Paris 2-42 (10)

2nd Innings: Western Australia 3-212 (38.2)
Cameron Bancroft 80* (88), D’Arcy Short 74 (99), Marcus Stoinis 42* (29)
Wes Agar 2-33 (8), Henry Thornton 1-31 (5), Spencer Johnson 0-40 (10)