Australia 1-Day 2024/25, WA vs SOA 3rd Match Report, September 24, 2024

South Australia 166 (Drew 49, Scott 46, Jackson 6-31) beat Western Australia (Turner 53, Whiteman 48, McAndrew 5-40) by two runs

Two days after being upset by New South Wales, Western Australia looked set to win 133 for 3 in pursuit of South Australia’s 166 at Cricket Central in Sydney.

But the three-time defending champions fell miserably, with McAndrew claiming career-best A-list figures of 5 for 40 as Western Australia were bowled out for 164 in the 38th over.

The loss leaves Western Australia with their worst start to a season since 2015, and their first consecutive 50-over defeat in nine years.

Jackson has long been regarded as a talent in Western Australia, but a series of serious back injuries ruled him out until the age of 24 last summer.

The right-armer quickly took 3 for 67 on his debut against Tasmania in February, before taking his turn on Tuesday when Jhye Richardson was rested.

He had Henry Hunt caught behind off the ball in his first over, before getting Mackenzie Harvey and Daniel Drew in his next over.

And after Liam Scott (46) and Daniel Drew (49) steadied the ship for South Australia, Jackson came back to remove them both before hitting McAndrew with speed in the shootout.

While Western Australia faltered early in the chase, the competition’s heavyweights seemed to dominate the game.

But the game took a turn for the worse after Sam Whiteman pulled Wes Agar down Thomas Kelly’s throat at deep square leg in the 48th over.

Ashton Agar and Baxter Holt followed suit with McAndrew as the West Australians lost control of the game.

And when McAndrew caught Matthew Kelly behind and dropped AJ Tye for a duck in his next over, Western Australia still needed 10 to win.

Ben Manenti then got the bat when he dismissed Turner on 53, leaving Lance Morris and Jackson for six runs for the final wicket.

Jackson was caught trying to drive Manenti, robbing him of a dream day and giving South Australia their first win over Western Australia since 2017.