Sheffield Shield 2024/25, WA vs QLD 3rd Match Report, October 08 – 11, 2024

After taking a 98-run lead, WA slumped to 47 for 3 in their second innings before Marsh and Cartwright combined to put on a 59-run stand.

Batting at No.4 as a specialist batsman, Marsh played mostly in the waiting but occasionally bowled the ball in trademark style. He finished with 40 not out, while Cartwright was unbeaten on 19 to get WA back on track after Bancroft fell in the first over.

The Shield’s leading run-scorer for the past two seasons, Bancroft has been the epitome of consistency. He last played Test cricket in 2019, having been overlooked earlier in the year after David Warner’s retirement, and was hoping to push his charge to make a comeback with paceman Cameron Green facing a lengthy lay-off with a back injury.

But he was once again defeated by the quick Michael Neser after he produced a stubborn performance that almost resembled his golden duck in the first innings.

“Bad timing,” WA coach Adam Voges said of Bancroft’s post play. “I’m sure he would have liked to get some runs in this game. It wasn’t the case, but he’s scored a lot over the last few years.”

No.3 Jayden Goodwin, who also bowled the first ball in the first innings, avoided matching Bancroft but on 18 he edged seamer Jack Wildermuth at gully.

Captain Sam Whiteman couldn’t back up his impressive century in the first innings after he played a loose ball to cut short Tom Straker at second wicket. It was the 19-year-old Straker’s first wicket and he impressed with his five-over spell with fiery bowling.

A flurry of wickets in the latter part of the day raised hopes of a result after the match looked set for a draw.

As the surface was spreading from day one, Jack Clayton and Ben McDermott scored easily in the first half against the old ball.

WA relied on prodigy Corey Rocchiccioli, who celebrated his 27th birthday on the first day, but was blocked in the face providing little help.

Whiteman turned to Cooper Connolly’s left-arm innings, but Clayton bounced back to good effect as Queensland bowled out WA for a massive first innings 465.

The game went quietly until the second new ball and it quickly came to life when Cameron Gannon rushed Clayton to catch the leg side to bowl wicketkeeper Josh Inglis for 85.

McDermott looked to be getting Queensland back on track either side of lunch until he was lbw to Cartwright on 68. A collapse ensued as Queensland lost 6 for 66 as the ball began to shoot off the divots.

Playing for his former club, Gannon capped off an impressive finish to last season when he was the unlikely hero in WA’s Shield victory. Delivering an unbeaten line and length, he was the pick of the bowlers to finish with 5 for 57 in 25.2 overs.

Recruit Brody Couch has had a mixed debut for WA after crossing from Victoria in the off-season. He was energetic at times, the fastest of WA’s trio of quicks at 140 kpm, and he made a short noise to live up to a cool innings.

Couch struggled to match, conceding 86 runs in 21 overs, but claimed WA’s first wicket when he dismissed Wildermuth for 24.

Marsh didn’t drink as much as expected and spent most of his time in slips, while occasionally helping out with drinks.